LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

®m^i-^mm¥ lo._.. 

Shelf Al.'i.GrU 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



SONS OF VETERANS' GUIDE 



OFFICERS AND MEMBERS 



SONS OF VETERANS', U. S A. 



Ladies' aid Societies 



8ECOND EDITION.— REVISED 



BY y 

COL. EDWARD K. GOULD 
Past Commander, Division of Maine 






ROCKLAND, MAINE 

EDWARD K. GOULD, PUBLISHER 

1888. 



'mBi' 









Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1887, by Edwabd- 
K. Gould, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER I. 
The Camp 5 

CHAPTER II. 
Camp Officers 15 

CHAPTER III. 
Camp Records 31 

CHAPTER IV. 
Camp By-Laws 48 

CHAPTER V. 
The Division 55 

CHAPTER YI. 
Division Officers 59 

CHAPTER YII. 
Division Records ^ 68 

CHAPTER YIII. 
Commandery-in-Chief 84 

CHAPTER IX. 
Commandery-in-Chief Officers 88 

CHAPTER X. 
Correspondence 96 

CHAPTER XL 
Infantry Tactics 100 

CHAPTER XII. 
Manual of Arms 110 

CHAPTER XIII. 
Inspections 116 

CHAPTER XIY. 
Muster of New Camps 126 

CHAPTER XY. 
West Point. — Information about Appointment and 
Admission of Cadets , 130 



PREFACE. 

The flattering reception accorded the first edition of 
the Guide, and the continued demand for the same, has 
led the author to prepare and present this edition to the 
Order. The book, as revised, has grown to respectable 
proportions, in keeping with the rapid progress and de- 
velopment of all departments of the Sons of Veterans' 
and the Ladies' Aid Societies ; and it is hoped that it will 
fully meet all the demands and wants for which it is 
intended. Every chapter has been carefully revised, and 
much new matter added thereto. The chapters on The 
Camp, Camp Records, The Division, Division Records, 
The Commandery-in-chief, Inspections, Muster of New 
Camps, and West Point, make their first appearance «i 
this edition. The author is under many obligations to 
Gen. George B. Abbott, Commander-in-chief; Brig. Gen. 
C. J. Post, Adjutant-General; Col. Frank McCrillis, 
Commander of the Illinois Division, and Col. Charles H. 
Eice, Past-Commander, Division of Maine, for valuable 
assistance in the preparation of this volume. 



SOJSrS OF ^TFTERJ^NS' a UJDJE. 



CHAPTER I. 

THE CAMP. 

1. Camps are formed by nuthority of the Divis- 
ion Colonel, noting by direction of the Command- 
er-in-Chief, on application of not less than ten eligi- 
ble persons. Chap, II, Art. I, Sec. 1. 

2. Xo Camp shall be recognized by the Sons 
of Veterans unless acting nnder a legal and unfor- 
feited charter. Chap. II, Art. I, Sec. 1. 

3. A Camp cannot surrender its charter, so long- 
as ten members demand its continuance. 

4. In order to surrender the charter, a proposi- 
tion to that effect mast be made at least four weeks 
previous to action, an«l due notice given to each 
member. Chap. II, Art. I, Sec. 2. 

5. The rank of Camps is determined by date of 
charter. Chap. II, Art. I. Sec. 3. 

6. Cannot surrender charter for a limited period 

7. May forfeit charter by failure or neglect to 
hold monthly meetings. 

8. Consent of Camp not necessary for the or- 
ganization of new Camp in the same town. 

2 



SONS OF VETERANS GUIDE. 



9. Each Camp to have appropriate name and 
number, but no two Camps of same Division are al- 
lowed to use the same name and number. Ch:ip. I, 
Art. lY, Sec. 1. 

10. Applications for membership to be made at 
stated meetings of Camp. Chap. II, Art. II, Sec. 2. 

11. Investigating Committees report in writing 
on applications for membership at subsequent meet- 
ing, unless dispensation is granted by Colonel. 
Chap. II, Art. II, Sec. 2. 

12. Rejected applicants forever after ineligible 
for admission to any other Camp, without the con- 
sent, by three-fourths vote, of Camp rejecting. 
Chap. II, Art. II, Sec. 5. 

13. Rejected applicants cannot be admitted to 
the Camp rejecting until six months thereafter. 
Chap. II, Art. II, Sec. 5. 

14. It Candidates fail to present themselves for 
muster within three months from date of election, 
it is void, ami they forfeit the fees paid. Chap. II, 
Art. II, Sec. 7. 

15. The Colonel may, however, grant a dispen- 
sation to above rule. 

16. Shall not divulge the cause or means of re- 
jection of an ai>plicant for membership. 

17. May, at the request of a Brother, mquire in- 
to his character, and vq',\^ the evidence to the Camp. 



THE CAMP. 



18. Cannot act on verbal report of investigating 
committees. 

19. Where such committees have not seen the 
candidate, but report, and a ballot is had, action is 
void. 

20. Catnp is not debarred from a true expres- 
sion of their opinion by the negligence of an inves- 
tigating committee. 

21. Cannot give consent to the withdrawal of 
an ai^plication after committee has reported thereon. 

22. A Camp may admit or re-admit a Brother 
with a valid transfer, by three-fourths vote. Chap. 
II, Art. Ill, Sec. 1. 

23. He may also be a charter member of a new 
Camp. 

24. Cannot impose any restriction u2:)on the right 
of a Brother to demand a transfer c;ird, in the form 
of a fee or otherwise. 

25. A vote of the Camp instructing Captain not 
to grant a transfer is void. 

26. Application for transfer card must be made 
to the Captain in writing at a stated meeting of the 
Camp. Chap. II, Art. IV, Sec. % 

27. A Camp giving relief to a needy visiting 
Brother, must endorse the same on his leave of ab- 
sence, and notify his camp. Chap. II, Art. IV, 
Sec. 1. 



28. Application for an Honorable Discharge can 
be made by any Brother in good standing, to the 
Captain oiliis Camp, at a stated meeting of the 
same, but he shall i"^ceive the same at some subse- 
quent meeting. Chap. II, Ai-t. IV, Sec. 3. 

29. Honorably discharged brothers may be re- 
admitted on application duly made to any Camp, 
and b illoted upon, by taking anew the obligation. 
Chap. W, Art. IV, Sec. 3. 

30. When a Camp , surrenders charter, all 
members in good standing entitled to transfer card 
from Colonel. Chap. II, Art. IV, Sec. 4. 

81. Stated meetings of the Camp shall be held 
at least monthly. Chap. II, Art. V, Sec. 1. 

32. In Ca23tain's absence, next in rank assumes 
command. In absence of Captain, First and Sec- 
ond Lieutenants, the Senior Past Captain present 
presides, and should no Past Captain be present, 
the Camp chooses a Captain ^9ro tempore. Chap. 
II, Art. V, Sec. 1. 

33. Special meetings are convened by Captain 
at his own discretion, or on written application of 
not less than six members. Chap. II, Art. V, Sec. 2. 

34. The call for a special meeting must specify 
the business to be transacted, and no other can be 
transacted. Chap. II, Art. V, Sec. 3. 

35. Stated and special meetings having closed 



THE CAMP. 



cannot be re-o]jened except by general consent, and 
before any member has left Camp room. Chap. II, 
Art. V, Sec. 4. 

36. Appropriation of money or Camp property 
cannot be made at special meetings. Chap. II, Art. 
y, Sec. 5. 

37. Seven members in good standing constitute 
a quorum at stated and special meetings. Chap^ 
II, Art. V, Sec. 6. 

38. Nominations for officers are to be made at 
least ,one stated meeting prior to election. Chap. 
II, Art. VII, Sec. 1. But this does not prevent 
nominations from being made two or three weeks 
prior provided due notice is given. 

39. The annual election takes place at last 
stated meeting in December, and the installation 
occurs on first stated meeting in January. Chap.. 
II, Art. VII, Sec. 1. 

40. Majority of all votes cast necessary to a 
choice of officers. Chap. II, Art. VII, Sec. 1. 

41. Vacancies may be filled at any stated meet- 
ing, notice being given one stated meeting prior. 
Chap. II, Art. VII, Sec. 2. 

42. A Camp cannot accept the resignation of 
the Captain, First or Second Lieutenant. The ac- 
ceptance is by the Colonel. 

43. Transaction of Camp void when done under 



10 SONS OF veterans' GUIDE, 

a CMptain pro tempore not a member of the Camp- 

44. Cannot install officers in December. 

45. Where the decision or action of the Captain 
is in violation of the (])onstitution, Rales and Regu- 
lations, a vote of the Camp to sustain him does not 
cure his error. 

46. May provide by By-Law that officers absent- 
ing themselves from meetings shall be punished by 
fine. 

47. May impose fines by By-Laws for neglect 
of duty on the part of officers, special committees 
or members. Chap. II, Art. XI. 

48. All elections of officers and representatives 
must be conducted as provided in Chapter II, 
Art. XII. 

49. Discussion of Politics and Religion forbid- 
den in Camp room. Chap. II, Art. XY. 

50. No Officer or Past Officer sh;ill affix his of- 
ficial signature to a recommendation or application 

for political position. Chap. II, Art. XVI. 

51. May establish Relief Fund for assistance of 
needy soldiers, sailors and marines, and their wid- 
ows and orphans. Chap. II, Art. XYIII. 

52. May adopt By-Laws not inconsistent with 
Constitution, Rules and Regulations, subject to the 
Colonel's approval. Chap. II, Art. XIX, 

53. Entitled to one representative and alternate 



THE CAMP. 11 



in Division Encampment for every 100 members in 
good standing, and an additional one for a iSnal 
fraction of more than one-half that number. Each 
Camp however is entitled to one representative,what- 
ever its number may be. Chap. Ill, Art. II, Sec. 
1, Clause 4. 

This clause is not thoroughly understood and aj)- 
pears to be awkwardly drawn. 100 members in 
good standing constitute the unit of representation 
of a Camp in the Division Encampment, and a final 
fraction of more than half the unit — that is, more 
than 50 members — sh.ill count as 100. Every camj) 
would, therefore, be entitled to one representative ; 
and if comj^osed of between 51 to 150 members as 
100, every 151 to 250 as 200, etc. Should a Camp, 
number 151 they would be entitled to one repre- 
sentative and an additional one forthe 51 members, 
which is a final fraction of more than half of one 
hundred. 

54. Camps must pay charter fee to Division of 
not less than $10 nor more than $15. Chap. YI, 
Art. I, Sec. 1. 

55. Camps on surrendering charter must turn 
over to the Division Adjutant all books of records, 
Orders, Rituals and Camp papers belonging to it. 
Chap. VI, Art. 1, Sec. 3. 

56. Camp charters can be suspended or an- 



12 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

nulled by Commander-in-Chief on recommendation 
of Colonel. Chap. VI, Art. J, Sec. 4. 

57. Shall be assessed by Division Encampment,. 
a per capita tax not exceeding 50 cents on each 
and every member in good standing. Chap. YI, 
Art. Ill, Sec. 2. 

58. A Camp. in arrears for reports or dues not 
allowed representation in Division Encampment 
until same are forwarded . Chap. VI, Art. IV, Sec. 2. 

59. Camp may elect by two-thirds vote a G. A. 
R. Advisory Committee of five comrades in good 
standing, and Diplomas shall be issued to them by 
the Commander-in-Chief. 

60. Continued absence and neglect sufficient 
cause to remove a member of al)ove Committee, 
subject to two-thirds vote, after a respectful notice 
to delinquent. Chap. VI, Art. XII, Sec. 2. 

61. A Camp should have two flags — the first a 
National color, the second a Camp color as de- 
scribed in Chapter VI, Art. XIII, Sec. 2, Rules and 
Regulations. 

62. The Camp Seal consists of the crest of the 
Coat of Arms surrounded by thirteen stars, and un- 
der the roll shall appear, in Roman numerals, the 
year of tlie organization of the order (to wit 1881 ). 

The whole shall be surrounded by the words " 

Camp, No. , Sons of Veterans," and the loca- 



THE CAMP. 13 



tion, town or city, and State, shall be added to the 
same. Chap. YI, Art. XV. 

63. May fix admission fee of not less than $1.50 
including Badge and also the annual dues. 

64. May exclude suspended member from meet- 
ings of the Camp. 

65. Cannot reinstate a former brother who had 
iDeen dropped for arrearages, and who died after his 
nnme had been dropped. 

66. Cannot remit the dues of a dropped member. 

67. Cannot use Camp funds to reinstate a mem- 
ber. 

68. Cannot order the publication of any sen- 
tence of a Court Martini. 

69. Where the Constitution, Rules and Regula- 
tions are silent, may provide by By-Law. 

70. Cannot hold "executive sessions." 
. 71. Has no executive power. 

72. Cannot exclude Division officers. 

73. May consult its own convenience in regard 
to admitting Brothers from other Camps, with due 
regard for the principles of courtesy and fraternity. 

74. Supplemental reports should be made, show- 
ing wdiat number have been reinstated, and the 
quarters for which dues have been paid to the 
Camp, 

75. The Colonel or Commander-in-Chief cannot 



14 

grant a "Roving Charter," a Camp m\ist be located.. 

76. Must have a regidar and uniform Initiation 
Fee, and cannot establish different fees for differ- 
ent applicants, 

77. Cannot levy an assessment on members for 
burial purposes. 

78. Organized after the third quarter of the year 
entitled to representation in the Divisio i Encamp- 
ment. 

79. Cannot change records except to correct 
errors. 

80. The official Camp Ribbon, to be worn on^ 
badge of Captain, First and Second Lieutenant, is 
of a blue center and a red, white and blue border, 
same as is now worn. Chap. VI, Art. XI, Sec. 5. 

81. Any person who has ever borne arms against 
the government of the United States not eligible ta 
membership. ■ 



CHAPTER II. 

CAMP OFFICERS. 

1. Elected Officers. — Captain, First Lieu- 
tenant, Second Lieutenant, Camp Council, Dele- 
gate and Alternate. 

2. Appoin-ted Officers. — Chaplain, First Ser- 
geant, Quartermaster Sergeant, Sergeant of the 
Guard, Corporal of the Guard, Camp and Picket 
Guard. 

3. Duties of Captain". — The Captain shall pre- 
side at all meetings of the Camp and shall preserve 
order and decorum therein. He shall enforce a 
strict observance of the Constitution and By-Laws 
and all orders from proper authority. He shall de- 
cide a4 questions of order without debate, subject, 
however, to an appeal to the Camp. It shall be his 
duty to detail all officers and appoint nil commit- 
tees not otherwise provided for, sign all orders, or 
requisitions made on the Quartermaster Sergeant or 
damp Council for appropriations of money or any 
property of the Camp, ami perform all other duties 
pertaining to his office. 

At all elections the Commanding officer shall act 
^s judge, and he shall appoint as tellers, two mem- 



16 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

bers who are not candidates to assist him. Sec. 1^ 
Art. Vlir., Chap. II. 

4. Shall .ippoint the Chaplain, the different Ser- 
geants, the Corporal of the Guard, a Camp and Pick- 
et Guard. Sec. 3, Art. VII., Chap. II. 

5. Is member of Division Encampment. Sec. 1,. 
Art. II., Chap. III. 

6. Issues credentials to representatives, forward 
ing copy to Adjutant immediately after election. 
Sec. 3, Art. II., Chap. III. Blanks should be fur- 
nished from Division Headquarters. 

7. Holds in trust the Bond of Quartermaster 
Sergeant and members of Camp Council, Sec. 6^ 
Art. VII., Chap. VI. 

8. May be suspended from office by Division 
Commander when charges are preferred against 
him. Sec. 7, Art. VI., Chap. VI. 

9. Can only be tried by court-martial appointed 
by Division Commander. Sec. 3, Art. VI., Chap. 
VI. 

10. Must forward to Division Headquarters full 
proceedings of Camp Court-martial where the sen- 
tence is dishonorable discharge, but may confirm or 
disapprove sentences of lighter degree. Sec. 6, Art. 
VI, Chap. VI. 

11. May call special meetings. (See Camp.) Sec. 
2, Art. v., Chap. II. 



CAMP OFFICERS. 17 



12. Shall appoint all special committees. Art. 
XIII., Chap. II. 

13. Insignia of rank of Captain is two bars on 
blue field of rank strap. Clause 3, Sec. 1, Art. X., 
Chap. VI. 

14. Past Capt.'iin, who has served full term or 
to the end of an unexpired term, entitled to wear 
Iron Cross of the Order, attached to Camp ribbon 
Sec. 3, Art. XL, Chap. II. 

15. Forwards names of Advisory Committee 
through Division Headquarters to Commander-in- 
Chief. Sec. 2, Art. XI., Chap. VI. 

16. Must forward name of rejected applicant to 
Division Headquarters, together with date of rejec- 
tion. Sec. 6, Art. II., Chap. II. 

17. Must forward reports of First and Quarter 
master Sergeants to Division Adjutant on the first 
DAYS OF January, April, July and October 
Sec. 1, Art. II., Chap. VI. 

18. Shall forward with the reports the Divis- 
ion tax on the members reported in good standing. 
Sec. 3, Art. III., Chap. VI. 

19. Is chairman of Visiting Committee. Art. 
XIII., Chap. II. 

20. May order courts-martial for tiial of offend- 
ers in his jurisdiction. Sec. 3, Art. VI., Chap. VI. 

21. May grant Leaves of Absence, Transfers, 

3 



18 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

and Discharges to brothers. Sec. 1-3, Art. IV., 
Chap. II. 

22. It is the duty of Captain to transfer or dis- 
charge a Brother in good standing on application. 

23. When the Constitution, Rules and Regula- 
tions are silent, and the Camp has not provided by 
By-Law for making appointments, Captain shall 
detail or appoint. 

24. When charges are preferred, should be sus- 
pended from official duties. 

25. lias no power to pardon a brother sentenced 
by court-martial. 

26. Has no power to suspend a member of his 
Camp, against whom charges have been preferred 
before the decision of the case. 

27. When charges are made to Colonel that the 
election of a Captain is illegal, installation may be 
postponed. 

28. Cannot turn over his command to a brother 
not a member of his Camp. If he does, proceed- 
ings are void. 

29. Should decide points of order arising in 
a Camp meeting. 

30. Decisions of, may be over-ruled by the Colo- 
nel without an appeal having been taken. 

31. Cannot call in question the standing of a 
Charter member. 



GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. 19 

32. May detail officers in absence of Lieutenants. 

33. May communicate the countersign to a 
Brother in srood standing;, either at ameetinsj of the 
Camp or outside of Camp. 

34. Cannot, on his own option, order Brothers to 
atteml a funeral of other than brothers of the Order 
in good standing. 

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. 

The Captain should be familiar with the Rules 
and Regulations, and with common parliamentary 
law ; also the Rules of Order. 

The Ritual should be memorized thoroughly. 

The officers and guard should be drilled in the 
muster-in services in the intervals of Camp meet- 
ings until perfect, and each officer should be pre- 
pared to act for the next highest officer in his ab- 
sence. 

Errors in the instruction of a recruit should not 
be publicly corrected, unless absolutely necessary, 
and then the instruction will be communicated by 
the Captain in a low tone to the officer in fault, 
and care taken that the error be not repeated. 

The Captain is responsible for the discipline of 
the Camp when in session or on parade. 

He will receive and respond to the proper saluta- 
tions of members. If his attention be momentarily 



20 SONS OF veterans' guide. 



withdrawn, brothers must wait respectfully, and 
not call attention by rudely stamping the feet. 

The General Orders, etc., received by the Cap- 
tain from Headquarters are Camp property, and 
after being read to the Camp, on tlie meeting next 
after their receipt, will be properly filed and kept 
accessible to members. 

In accordance with military usage, the Captain 
will conduct correspondence with Division Head- 
quarters. 

First and Second Lieutenants. The First 
Lieutenant and Second Lieutenant shall assist the 
Captain in preserving order and decorum in the 
Camp, and shall perform such other duties as are re- 
quired of them by the Constitution and Ritual jof 
the Order. The inner door of the Camp shall, un- 
der orders of the Commanding Officer, be in the spe- 
cial charge of the First Lieutenant. Sec. 2, Art. 
VIII., Chap. II. 

Chaplain — The Chaplain shall assist in conduct- 
ing the ceremonies prescribed by the Work of the 
Order : ho shall officiate at the opening and closing 
of the Camp, and j)erform such othei- duties as are 
required of him. Sec. 3, Art. VIIL, Chap. II. 

P'iRST Sergeant. — The First Sergeant shall 
keep an accurate record of all proceedings of the 
Camp, which shall be read in full at the succeeding 



GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. 21 

meeting, and having, if necessary, been corrected, 
and duly approved. He shall attest, with or with- 
out the seal of the Camp, all notices, orders, requi- 
sitions and other documents and papers of the 
Camp ; shall notify all candidates of their election^ 
and shall mnke out for the Camp Commander all 
reports, returns, and other papers required of him. 
2. He shall keep in books properly prepared. 

1. The Constitution, By-Laws, and Rules of 
Order of the Camp, the same to be subscribed to by 
every candidate on his becoming a member. 

2. A Descriptive Book, containing the full name, 
age, residence, date of application, acceptance, and 
muster of each member, the facts upon which his 
right to membership is based, and name of father 
from whom eligibility is derived, giving in concise 
form a brief but complete history of the case. 

3. A Journal of the proceedings of the Camp 
after the same shall have been corrected and ap- 
proved. 

4. An Order Book, in which shall be entered all 
orders and circulars of the Camp Commander. 

5. A Requisition Book, to pay bills, and he shall 
draw requisitions on the Quartermaster Sergeant 
for all amounts to be expended by the Camp, and 
submit the same to the Commanding Officer for his 
approval. 



22 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

6. A Black Book, in which shall be recorded the 
names of all rejected candidates and all dishonor 
ably discharged members, giving in each instance 
the date and a concise history of the case. 

3. The First Sergeant shall perform such 
other duties as pertain to his office, and on his re- 
tirement from the same, shall promptly and without 
delay, transfer to his successor, who shall receipt 
for the same, the seal of the Camp, and all books, 
papers, blanks, and other property of the Camp in 
his possession. 

4. The efficiency of the Camp depends largely 
on the manner in which this officer discharges his 
duties, and CajDtains cannot exercise too much 
judgment in choosing a brother for this important 
office. 

6. He should be able to refer promptly ,to the 
records of j^receding action of the Camp, to com- 
munications and orders received. 

6. The Journal should be ruled down the out- 
er margin of each page, leaving one and one-half 
inches of space to index the headings of each item 
of business. 

7. The minutes should not be entered on the 
Journal until after they have been read to the 
Camp for correction. 

8. When the minutes are read, the Captain will 



GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS. 23 

say: "If there is no objection, the minutes Avill 
stand approved as read." "They are so approved." 

9. These minutes should recite in detail the ac- 
tion of the Camp. 

10. The name of the proposer of any business 
should always be given. 

11. The substance of remarks or discussions need 
not be noted unless especially required. 

12. Lengthy communications or reports need 
not be entered in full unless so directed, but a brief 
synopsis of each should be given, and the papers 
then numbered and filed for reference. 

13. Important and lengthy resolutions should 
be committed to writing by the proposer. 

14. Resolutions accompanying a report should 
be entered in full. 

15. The General Orders are to be read in place 
and then filed, unless action thereon is called for. 
Commandery and Division orders should be pre- 
served in Binders for handy reference and as Camp 
property. 

16. The First Sergeant details the guards under 
orders of the Captain. 

17. Gives two weeks notice of annual election 
of officers and that all brothers six months in ar- 
rears will be prohibited from voting. Art. XII., 
Chap. II. Same rule applies when vacancies are 
to be filled. 



24 



18. Makes out quarterly returns for Captain. 

19. Insignia of rank is chevron of blue silk, worn 
on arm above the bend of the elbow, and consists 
of three stripes in the form of a V, with a lozenge 
in the angle, same as worn in the service of 1861- 
1865. 

20. Not entitled to Avear Camp ribbon, wears 
ribbon of general membership — red, white and blue. 

Quartermaster Sergeant. — The Quartermas- 
ter Sergeant shall hold such of the funds of the 
Camp as are required for its more immediate use. 
He shall hold and have the genei-al charge of the 
other property of the Camp, not otherwise provided 
for ; shall fill all requisitions drawn by the First 
Sergeant and approved by the Camp Commander ; 
and he shall not pay out any money except upon 
requisition in due form from the First Sergeant, 
countersigned by the Commanding Officer, and a 
RECEIPT UPON this REQUISITION shall be his vouch- 
er of authority and disbursements; shall keep the 
accounts between the Camp and its members; shall 
collect all moneys due the Camp, giving in all cases 
receipts therefor ; shall notify all members in ar- 
rears ; shall furnish the First Sergeant with the re- 
ceipts prior to the close of each meeting ; and at 
the next stated meeting after the close of each 
month, render to the Camp a detailed account of 



GENERAL INSTKUCTIONS. 25 

the transactions of tlie month, and the money bal- 
ance in his hands. He shall perform all such other 
duties as pertain to his office, and on his retirement 
from the same, shall promptly turn over and deliver 
to his successor, who sliall receipt for same, all the 
funds, books, papers, and other property of the 
Camp in his possession. Sec. 6, Art. VIII., 
Chap. II. 

2. Shall make tlie quarterly reports, for the 
Captain, of state of the finances, etc. Sec. 5, Art. II., 
Chap. VI. 

3. The Q. M. S. requires a Cash Book, Ledger 
and Receipt Book. 

4. On the Cash Book should be noted each 
payment as made, and the entries should be read to 
the Camp before adjournment to allow corrections. 

5. The Receipt Book should also carry for- 
ward on the stubs the total receipts, etc. 

6. The Requisitions or Orders, duly receipted 
by the party to whose order they are drawn, are 
his vouchers for payment, and the total of these 
deducted from the receipts, gives the balance of 
cash on hand. 

7. Some pages of the Cash Book should be 
ruled for a summary of Disbursements, giving No. 
of Requisition, date, for whom drawn, for what 
account, and amount, so as to be always ready for 
reference. 



26 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

^. The Q. M. S. sliould fill out the receipts 
as payments for clues are made by brothers, and 
entered m the Cash Book. ( !See Gamp Records.) 

9. Quartermaster Sergeants are required to give 
Bonds for the faithful performance of their duties, 
Sec. 1, Art. VII., Chap. VT. 

Too great importance cannot be given to this 
matter. Instances are on record where Q. M. Ser- 
geants have absconded with the funds and left 
the Camp in jeopardy. 

Camps of the Sons of Veterans, unincorporated, 
cannot bring suits agninst defaulting officers, except 
in an indirect and troublesome manner. The Law, 
as applicable to such institutions in each State, 
should be carefully examined by the Judge-Advo- 
cate in each Division, in order that a bond may be 
j^rovided that will stand legal tests, and forms be 
then printed and issued to Camps. 

Generally, the bond of an officer re-elected, 
which is not renewed for each term, is void. 

10. The Color Sergeant is under the order of 
the Quartermaster Sergeant. Chap. II., Art. VIII., 
Section 7. 

11. The Principal Musician is also under his 
direction. Chap. II., Art. VIII., Sec. 8. 

12. Shall prepare alphabetical list of all brothers 
entitled to vote, at least one week prior to an 



GENEKAL INSTRUCTIONS. 27 

election, one or more of the Camp Council shall 
assist him. Chap. II., Art. XII. 

13. The Insignia of Rank of this officer is the 
chevron used in the service 1861 to 1865, and con- 
sists of three blue silk stripes, with three horizontal 
bars at to]), in shape of Y, worn at the bend of the 
elbow. 

14. Wears the membership ribbon of red, white 
and blue. 

15. May make the entry of "Suspended" or 
" Dropped " members without action of Camp. 

Color Sergeant. — The Color Sergeant of the 
Camp shall, under the directioil of the Q. M. Ser- 
geant, have charge of and be responsible for the 
preservation and safe keeping of the several flags 
and colors of the Camp. Sec. 7, Art. YIIL, Chap. 
II. 

Principal Musician. — The Principal Musician 
shall, under direction of the Quartermaster Ser- 
geant, be responsible for the preservation and safe 
keeping of the fifes, drums, bugles and other 
property of the Corps. Sec. 8, Art. YIII., Chap. 
II. 

Sergeant of the Guard. — The Sergeant of 
the Guard will see that the Camjj room is in proper 
condition and order for the transaction of business. 

2. He will examine, j^^'epare and introduce all 



28 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

recruits, and instruct them in the unwritten work, 
which should be carefully memorized, and be given 
clearly and plainly. 

3. He will have charge of the ballot-box during 
the election of members, presenting the same to 
the Captain for his announcement of the result. 

Corporal of the Guard. — The Corporal of the 
Guard assists the Sergeant of the Guard in the per- 
formance of his duties. 

Under direction of the Commanding Officer, 
he inspects the Guards and reports the result of said 
inspection to him. 

Camp Council.* — The Camp Council shall be 
charged with the general care and supervision of 
the investment of the surplus funds of the Camp, 
and shall be responsible for and look after all its 
material welfare. It shall be their duty to devise 
and recommend measures for preserving and increas- 
ing the funds of the Camp; to make its investments, 
leases and other contracts; secure a place of meet- 
ing ; settle and dispose of all disputed accounts be- 
tween the Quartermaster Sergeant and members of 
the Camp ; examine and pass upon all accounts and 
bills incurred by any officer or committee of the 
Camp ; examine the books, vouchers and other 
papers of the different officers at their pleasure, and 
all books and accounts shall be open to the inspec- 



GENERAL INSTRnCTIONS. '29 

tion of the Camp Council on demand. The Camp 
Council shall keep a record of their proceedings, and 
at the end of each three months shall render a full 
and complete report in writing, showing their tran- 
sactions and the financial condition of the Camp. 

2. The best interests of a Camp require, that be- 
fore the close of each quarter, the Camp Council 
should carefully examine the books and vouchers 
of the Quartermaster Sergeant, the records of the 
First Sergeant, inquire into the responsibility of 
the bondsmen of the Q. M. Sergeant, and pass upon 
the account of each brother with the Camp, and 
make recommendations as to who are in arrears, 
and should be suspended or dropped. 

3. The Camp Council shall severally and jointly 
give bonds for the faithful performance of their 
duties. Sec. 2, Art. VIL, Chap. VI. 

4. No change should be made by the Camp 
Council in any investment of the Camp Funds, or 
in the title to Camp jjroperty, or any money paid 
therefrom, without the concurrence in writing of 
all the Councilors. 

5. The Q. M. Sergeant shall turn over to the 
Camp Council such property and funds of the Camp 
as the Camp by vote may direct. 

6. One or more of the Camp Council shall assist 
the Q. M. Sergeant in making up the Poll List. 
Art. XII., Chap. II. 



30 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

7. Must be in session on night of election of 
officers. Art. XII., Chap. II. 

8. The attention of members of the Council is 
called to the article on Auditing Accounts. In 
order to projDerly discharge their duties, they 
should be perfectly familiar with the duties of the 
Quartermaster Sergeant, and to this end a careful 
study of his duties as laid down in this work is ad- 
vised, {^ee ^^Camp Becords^^ also "§. M. Ser- 
geantP) 



CHAPTER III. 

CAMP RECORDS. 

The records of the Camp are kept by the First 
and Quartermaster Sergeants, and the books neces- 
sary for this purpose have been enumerated under 
the duties of the above-named officers. 

The Journal should contain a brief history 
of the proceedings of each meeting, and to assist 
First Sergeants in properly keeping the name, the 
following form is given : 

Headquarters Camp, S. of V. 

188 

Camp met in G. A. R. Hall, and opened in due 
form at 8 o'clock p.m. ; Captain A. B. in the chair. 

Officers absent at Roll Call : First Lieutenant 
C. D., and Chaplain E. F. 

Details : Acting First Lieutenant G. H. ; Acting 
Chaplain I. J. 

Records of the last meeting read and approved. 

(Records of last meeting read and approved 
after making the following amendment: "The 
Color Sergeant came in and assumed his official 
position," after reports of committees, etc.) 



32 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

Brother H. I. reported sick, and the Visiting 
Committee was instructed to visit him. 

Comrade B. A. of the G. A. R., was also reported 
in need of assistance, and the Visiting Committee 
was ordered to visit and assist him. 

Captain A. B., Cliairman of the Visiting Com- 
mittee, reported that the committee had visited 
Brother G. E., reported sick at the hist meeting, 
and found him improving in health and in need of 
no assistance. 

On motion of Bro. H. J,, the report was accepted. 

Bro. J. K , from committee appointed to investi- 
gate the application of R. S. for membership, re- 
j^orted favorably on tlie same. 

On motion of Brother C. D., the report was 
accepted, and the Camp j^roceeded to ballot on the 
application. 

The result of the ballot being favorable, R. S. 
was elected, and was there introduced and duly 
mustered. 

(If the applicant be not present, the First 
Sergeant should send him notice of his election, and 
if he does not present himself for muster within 
three months, the election will be void, and nil the 
moneys paid for muster fee forfeited to the Camp.) 

The application of K. C. for membership, was 
then read and referred to Brothers C. D., E. F. and 
G. H., for investigation. 



CAMP RECORDS. 33 



A recess was declared for the collection of dues. 

Meeting called to order, and Geneial Orders, No. 
7, Headquarters Comniandery in Chief was then 
read and placed on file. 

The bill of C. D., of $6.00, for services as janitor, 
W(\8 also read, and on motion of E. F., ordered paid 
when approved by the Camp Council. 

On motion of Brother R. Y., the following was 

unanimously adopted : — 

Hesolved, That the thanks of this Camp are due 
and are hereby given the Ladies' Relief Corps for 
the assistance rendered at our late entertainment. 

Hesolved, That tb.e First Sergeant be and hereby 
is instructed to furnish the Relief Corps with a copy 
of these resolutions. 

Receipts of the evening, $3.75. 

Meeting closed in due form at 9.30 o'clock, p.m. 

J. A. K., First Sergeant. 

Applications for Membership when received 
by the First Sergeant, should be read by him in 
Camp, after which the Captain should appoint an 
Investigating Committee thereon, of which the 
brother recommending the applicant shall not be a 
member, and endorse the names of the committee 
on the back, together with date of appointment. 
The First Sergeant shall then deliver the appli- 
cation to the chairman of said committee, and the 
same shall be thoroughly investigated, special at- 



34 soxs OF veterans' guide. 

tention being paid to the applicant's character, his 
father's service, and if he were honorably difcJiarged 
therefrom ; also ascertain if he has ever borne arms 
against the Government of the United Slates. If 
evidence appears that the applicant himself has 
ever borne arms against the United States Govern- 
ment, or has ever been convicted of an infamous 
crime, he should be rejected. The committee 
shouhl report by endorsement on tlie applications 
at the next meeting after appointment, unless a dis- 
pensation has been granted by the Colonel permit- 
ting them to report on tlie same evening. If the 
application be rejected, it should be entered on the 
Black Book and reported to Division Headquarters 
in the next quarterly report. Should the result 
of the ballot be favorable, the First Sergeant should 
endorse on the application, " Elected — 18 — ," and 
when mustered, '-'-Mustered — 18 — , No. on Descrip- 
tive Book — ." After the applicant is mustered, the 
application should be entered in the Descriptive 
Book, and not before^ and should be placed on file 
for future reference. The First Sergeant should 
insist on having all applications for membership full,, 
complete and accurately made out in ink. 

The Descriptive Book should contain a con- 
cise history of each member, and of his father. 
Each name as it is entered, should be numbered in 
consecutive order. The name of the brother and 



CAMP RECORDS. 35 



his father should be entered in full, and initials 
should be avoided as much ns possible. That is, 
never enter a name J. P. Brown or T. R. Smith, 
but John P. Brown or Thomas R. Smith. 

Ditto marks are prohibited in the military 
service, and they should not be used in the De- 
scriptive Book. 

After once entering the name and history of a 
recruit in the Descriptive Book, and after the same 
has been reported to Division Headquarters in the 
quarterly returns, never change or transpose the 
same without notifying the Adjutant of your Divi- 
sion of the exact alteration. If you do not do this 
it will create confusion in the Division records and 
lead to much trouble. For instance, you enter the 
following on your Descriptive Book : JSTo. 5, James 
R. Havens; Age 21; Residence Rockland; Birth- 
place, JBoston, Mass.; Father'' s Name, Edward J. 
Savens^"* etc., etc., and you report the above in 
your quarterly returns to the Adjutant, who enters 
the same on the Division Descriptive Book. After 
this, perhaps you have got a new Descriptive Book, 
and have transferred the names and descriptions 
from the old to the new book, and rearranged them. 
In your new book you number James R. Havens 
25, while in the old book and in the Division De- 
scriptive Book he is numbered 5. You do not 
notify the Adjutant of this change. The time 



36 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

come8 when the brother is suspended, you re- 
port him suspended on your quarterly returns 
as follows : "iV'o. on DescHjMve JBook^ 25; 
James R. Haveiifi; Suspended for Non-Pay- 
7ne)it of Dues?' The Adjutant takes your re- 
port, looks at the number you give, turns to the 
roster of your Camp in his Descriptive Book, and 
looks for the number which is the index to the 
name. No. 25 is the number of John Jones ; and 
the Adjutant is obliged to go over the entire list of 
your Camp in order to find James R. Havens, while 
if you had given the correct number, 5, he could 
have turned to it at once. Should your (^amp 
number seventy-five or a hundred members, and 
the Adjutant have twenty-five or thirty such re- 
ports to enter on his book, you can readily estimate 
what a large amount of unnecessary work you are 
causing him, for all these changes have to be entered 
on the Division Descriptive Hook. 

The same rule will apply to names. At the time of 
muster, you report this brother's name as James R. 
Havens, and when suspended you report him as J* 
R. Havens in your quarterly returns. A careful 
Adjutant will not jump to the conclusion that 
James R. Havens and J. R. Havens are one and 
the same person, but wall run over the roster of 
your Camp to ascertain if there be a J. R. Havens 
and even if he finds none by that name, it may not 



CAMP RECORDS. 37 



satisfy him that James R. Havens is the one meant, 
and he must write yon to ascertain, for there may 
be a possibility of an omission to report the name 
when mustered. These cases frequently occur. 

When a brother is suspended, write the follow- 
ing in pencil under the head of " Remarks," in your 

Descriptive Book : " Suspended 188 — ," and 

when reinstated these can be erased. When a 
brother is dropped, honorably discharged, dishonor- 
ably discharged, transferred or is dead, write in 
red ink the words, '-'- Dropped^"* ^^ Ho nor ably Dis- 
charged^^'' etc., under the head of " Remarks," and 
draw a red line through the brother's name. 

The fact of a brother being on a Leave of 
Absence should be noted in pencil under "Remarks," 
together with the date on Avhich said Leave ex- 
pires. 

The Black Book. The names of all brothers 
rejected or dishonorably discharged, and the date 
of said rejection and dishonorable discharge should 
be entered on the Black Book. This book and the 
record it contains is of more importance than is 
generally j^resumed, and should be as carefully kept 
as any of the other records. 

The Order Book is another book of import- 
ance to the camp. All orders of the Captain should 
be accurately copied in the same and signed by the 
Captain. This makes an authentic and permanent 



38 soxs OF veterans' guide. 

record of all orders, and will prove important in 
many cases, especially in courts-martial, where 
orders are frequently introduced as evidence. 

Requisition Book to Pay Bills. As bills are 
approved by the Camp Council, the chairman hands 
the same to the First Sergeant, who at once fills out 
an order in this book, carrying it out on the stub. 
After receiving the signature of the Captain, the 
First Sergeant tears out the order, leaving the stub 
on which is written the memorandum of the order, 
in the book, and presents the order, together with 
the bill, to the person to whom the amount of the 
bill is due, who should then receipt the bill, return 
the same to the First Sergeant to be placed on file 
by him. The person holding the Requisition 
should then present the same to the Quartermaster 
Sergeant for payment. In paying the same, the 
Q. M. Sergeant should take a receipt on the 
Requisition, which is of the same nature as bank 
checks. These Requisitions are legal vouchers for 
the expenditure of Camp Funds. 

The following rule should be observed : The 
First Sergeant pays all bills with the Requisition, 
and keeps all of these bills, after being receipted, 
on file. The Quartermaster Sergeant cashes these 
Requisitions, when i)resented to him for payment, 
taking a receipt thereon, and keeping the same on 
file. 



CAMP RECORDS. 39 



Files. All letters and important communi- 
cations should be kept in suitable files, numbered, 
and a brief statement of their contents noted on 
the back. 

Returxs. Immediately on receiving the blanks 
from the Adjutant, the Captain should turn the 
same over to the First and Quartermaster Ser- 
geants, who should begin at once the preparation 
of their quarterly returns. 

First Sergeant's Returns. The First Ser- 
geant will take from the Descriptive Book the 
names of all brothers who have been mustered into 
the Camp during the quarter. This can be ascer- 
tained by looking at the date of muster in the 
Descriptive Book. These should be copied on the 
return sheet under the head of " Muster Roll," etc., 
and the total number so entered should appear in 
the "Recapitulation " as " Gain, by muster in." 

The names of all brothers mustered by the trans- 
fer should also appear in the Muster Roll, but 
the members so gained should be entered in the 
" Recapitulation " as gain by " Transfer." 

The First Sergeant should then request the 
Quartermaster Sergeant to give him the names of 
all brothers reinstated on the payment of out- 
standing dues during the quarter. He will erase 
the word ''''Suspended'''' from his Descriptive Book, 



40 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

when appearing against the names of brothers re- 
instated, and enter the names and the numbers, 
together with the .cause of reinstatement, on his 
return sheet, under the head of " Gains During the 
Quarter from Suspended or Dropped," and enter 
the total number so reinstated in the Recapitulation 
after the words, " Gained by Reinstatement from 
Suspended or Dropped." First Sergeants must 
take particular notice not to fill this column out 
with those mustered in during the quarter, as is 
frequently the case. They should be entered on 
the " Muster Roll " and at no other place. 

The Quartermaster Sergeant should then furnish 
the First Sergeant with a list of all brothers who 
have been suspended for the non-payment of dues. 
The First Sergeant will enter in pencil ^'-Suspended 

188 — ," in his Descriptive Book, against the 

names appearing on the list, and shall transfer 
said names, together with their numbers, and cause 
of suspension, on the return sheet under the head 
of " Losses During the Term from all Causes," and 
will enter under the " Recapitulation," after the 
words, " Losses from Suspension or Dropi:>ed," the 
total number appearing on this list. Brothers who 
are one year in arrears in the payment of dues, 
shall be " Dropped," and they should be reported 
under this head in the same manner as the sus- 
pended. 



CAMP RECORDS. 41 



The names of thosS who have died, or who have 
'been honorably or dishonorably discharged, with 
number on Descriptive Book and cause, should be 
•entered under " Losses During the Term from all 
Causes," and the total number should be entered 
under the "Recapitulation," in their appropriate 
places. 

The copy of the last report made to Division 
Headquarters, should then be examined to ascer- 
tain the " number in good standing upon which 
per capita tax is due," and this number should be 
placed at the head of the "Recapitulation," after 
the words, " number of members in o;ood standing 
at date of last report." 

The figures under the " Gain " column in the Re- 
-capitulation should then be added. That is, those 
gained by Muster, Transfer and Reinstatement. 
This will make the total gain, which added to the 
number in good standing at date of last report, will 
make the "Aggregate." 

Next add your "Losses" column; that is, the 
figures appearing after the words, " By Death," 
*' By Honorable Discharge," "By Transfer," "By 
■Suspended or Dropped," "By Dishonorable Dis- 
charge," and you have your total loss, which sub- 
tracted from the " Aggregate, " gives the " num- 
ber remaining in good standing upon which per 
5 



42 SONS OF veterans' guide. 



capita tax is due." This number you will give the 
Quartermaster Sergeant, who will enter the same 
on his report at the proper place. 

Under the head of " Roster of Officers " on the 
return sheet, give the name and number of your 
Camp, and the Division to Avhich it is attached ; 
also the town or city in which it is located. Then 
give the name and address of the Captain, First 
Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant, First Sergeant and 
Quartermaster Sergeant. Give the town in which 
your hall is located, and the street and number of 
your place of meeting, and also your night of 
meeting. 

Sign the return, affix the Camp Seal, and pre- 
sent the report to the Captain on the last night of 
meeting in the quarter, and then your duty is per- 
formed. 

Captains should always acknowledge the receipt 
of General Orders, Blank Reports and other matter 
and communications from Headquarters. 

The Quartermaster Sergeant's Return is so 
simple, that it needs no explanation to make the 
same out properly. Any intelligent person can 
easily master the same after a few moments' study. 

Cash Book. Cash received from all sources 
should be entered on this book, as well as the cash 
paid out. The following form is given to all new 
officers : 



CAMP RECORDS. 



43 



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44 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

Each expenditure on the Cash Book should be 
supported by a projjer A^oucher (Requisition from 
the Captain and First Sergeant), and in the above 
form of Cash Book, orders should be on file in favor 
of William Bryant, B. II. Beale, Post No. 12, 
and Maine Division, Sons of Veterans, so that when 
the books are examined by the Camp Council, as 
they should be at least once every three months, 
every cent expended will be accounted for. 

The cash on hand added to the amount of the 
Requisition for money paid, should always agree 
with the total of cash received. 

Supplies should only be sold for cash. 

The Ledger should contain the accounts be- 
tween the Camp and its members. 

On the first day of each quarter, each member 
should be charged on the Ledger with one quarter's 
dues, and when paid should be credited in the next 
column. 

New members are charged with the roster fee 
(which, by the Camp Constitution, should not be 
less than 11.50, including the badge), and credited 
for the same. 

The following form is given for your guidance : — 



CAMP RECORDS. 



45 





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i 






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46 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

As has been stated before, all receipts of cash 
should be entered in the Cash Book. 

Each brother should be credited on his Ledger 
account with all j^ayments for muster fees and 
dues, and the number of his Ledger page should be 
entered in the Cash Book opposite the item paid 
by him. 

Credit a brother at once on the Ledger when he 
pays his dues, giving him a receipt, then you will 
make no mistakes, and consequently no trouble 
will follow. 

Balances. The Cash Book should be figured 
in pencil for the monthly reports of the Camp, and 
balanced at the end of each quarter. Ledger ac- 
counts should be balanced at the end of each year. 

Never pay a bill from the Camj) funds until a 
Requisition, properly made out and signed, is pre- 
sented to you for the amount. 

Have your return to Division Headquarters 
ready by the last meeting in the quarter, and pre- 
sent the same, together with the per capita tax, to 
the Captain, who should forward the same at once. 

Make out all requisitions for supplies on the 
Division Quartermaster, and present the same to 
the Captain for his signature, then forward the 
same accompanied by cash and a Requisition for 



CAMP RECORDS. 47 



money payable to the Quartermaster, to be en- 
dorsed by him and returned. 

All funds forwarded by mail, should be sent by 
post-office or express order, check or draft, pay- 
able to the Quartermaster of your Division. Postal 
notes are no safer than bills, and you send them at 
your own risk. 

You should keej) constantly on hand an accurate 
schedule of all Camp property. 



CHAPTER lY. 

CAMP BY-LAWS. 

In response to frequent enquiries, the following 
set of By-Laws is given to aid Camps in formulat- 
ing and adopting a good code : — 

ARTICLE I. 

TITLE. 

This Camp shall be called and known as 

CAMP, NO. — , DIVISION of , SONS of 

VETERANS, U. S. A. 

ARTICLE II. 

MEETINGS. 

Section 1. — The stated meetings of this Camp 
shall be on evening of each week. 

Section 2. — The hour of assembly shall be 7.30' 
o'clock p.m., from September 1st to April 1st, and 
8 o'clock p.m., the remainder of the year. 

Section 3. — At the last stated meeting in 
December the officers shall make their annual re- 
ports for the information and action of the Camp* 



CAMP BY-LAWS. 49^ 



ARTICLE III. 

FEES AND DUES. 

Section 1. — The fee, for muster-in to this Camp 
shall be two-dollars, to include the Membership 
Badge, which sum shall accompany the appli- 
cation, and in case of rejection shall be returned 
to the applicant. 

Section 2. — Each member joining by transfer 
card shall pay a fee of one dollar. 

Section 3. — The quarterly dues of each member^ 
except as specified in Article IX., Section 1, shall 
be fifty cents, due and payable to the Quarter- 
master Sergeant in advance, at the beginning of 
each quarter. 

Section 4. — Brothers joining by muster or trans- 
fer shall not be taxed until the beginning of the 
next quarter thereafter. 

Section 5. — The quarters, for the payment of 
dues, etc., shall begin on the first days of January, 
April, July and October of each year. 

ARTICLE IV. 

FUNDS, DISBURSEMENTS, ETC. 

Section 1. — The Quartermaster Sergeant shall 
retain of the moneys of the Camp sufficient for the 
current expenses of the Camp, and to cover con- 
tingencies, a sum not to exceed one hundred and 
fifty dollars. All moneys in excess of that amount 



50 

which shall come into his hands shall be deposited 
with the CamjD Council. 

Section 2. — There shall be set apart in the 
hands of the Camp Council a sum of money, which 
shall be known as a Relief Fund. All moneys 
which shall be donated, earned by entertainments, 
or voted by the Camp for that purpose, shall be 
sacred to that fund, and this fund shall be subject 
to the drafts of the Relief Committee for the relief 
of needy or distressed members of the Sons of 
Veterans, or of soldiers and sailors and their fami- 
lies. 

Section 3. — No disbursement shall be made by 
the Quartermaster Sergeant except for the ordinary 
running expenses of the Camp, approved by the 
Camp Council, except by vote of the Camp,- certi- 
fied by the Orderly Sergeant and countersigned by 
the Commander, and any motion involving the ex- 
penditure of money, except for payment of rent, 
fuel, lights or janitor's services, shall lie upon the 
table for one week, and then require the two-thirds 
vote of all members present for its adoption. 

ARTICLE V. 

FINES. 

Section 1. — Any officer or member of the Camp 
who shall fail to turn out with the Camp on Mem- 
orial Day, shall be fined one dollar for each offence. 



CAMP BY-LAWS. 51 



Section 2. — Any officer or member of the Camp 
failing to attend the funeral of a member after 
being duly notified, shall be fined fifty cents for 
each offence. 

Section 3. — If the commanding officer of this 
Camp fails to enforce any of the foregoing fines, he 
shall himself be fined fifty cents for each offence. 

Section 4. — Any officer or member may have 
his fines remitted, if he present satisfactory evi- 
dence in writing that it was necessary for him to 
neglect the performance of the duties named in 
Sections 1, 2 and 3 of this article. Said evidence 
shall be referred to a special committee, to consist 
of three brothers, who shall carefully consider the 
same and re^^ort on each and every case at the 
next regular meeting of the Camp. 

Section 5. — All fines, if not paid at once, shall 
be passed to the account of the member incurring 
them, and shall stand against said member as reg- 
ular dues, which must be settled to entitle him to 
the privilege of voting and of holding office. 

Section 6. — Suspended members shall pay the 
whole sum due from them up to the time of re- 
instatement. 



52 

ARTICLE YI. 

BOXDS. 

Section 1. — The amount of the Bond of the 
Quartermaster Sergeant shall be One Hundred 
(100) Dollars, with sufficient sureties, which 
amount may at any time be increased by a vote of 
the Camp. 

Section 2. — The Camp Council shall individu- 
ally give bonds for the faithful performance of 
their duties, with sureties to the satisfaction of the 
Camp, by majority vote, in the sum of Five Hun- 
dred Dollars each. 



ARTICLE YII. 
G. A. R. Advisory Committee. 

Section 1. — This Camp shall elect an Advisory 
-Committee of five comrades of the G. A. R., as 
provided in Article XII., Section 2., Rules and 
Regulations of the Commandery-in-Chief. 

Section 2. — As a means of recognition at any 
meeting or entertainment of this Camp, the mem- 
bers of the Advisory Committee shall wear pinned 
on the left breast a badge composed of a blue 
ribbon two inches in width and six inches long ; on 
the center shall be printed in gilt the Coat of Arms 
of the Order ; above this in a semi-circle, the words 



CAMP BY-LAWS. 53 



■*' Advisory Committee," and below, 



Camp, S. of v., U. S. A. ," in gilt letters. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

MILITARY DRILL. 

Section 1. — This Camp shall devote such time 
as shall be designated by a majority vote of all the 
members j^resent at any regular meeting, to j^i'ac- 
tical instructions in Infantry Tactics. 

Sectiox 2. — Upton's Infantry Tactics is hereby 
adopted as the authority in military drill. 

ARTICLE IX. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Section 1. — The Orderly and Quartermaster 
Sergeants and Picket Guard shall be exempt from 
the payment of quarterly dues to the Camp during 
the satisfactory performance of their duties. 

Section 2. It shall be the duty of any member 

"WITHIN ONE MONTH AFTER CHANGING HIS PLACE 
■OF RESIDENCE, TO NOTIFY THE OrDERLY SeRGEANT 
THEREOF, TOGETHER WITH HIS ADDRESS. 

Section 3. — Janitor. Annually in January 
the commanding officer shall appoint a worthy 
brother of the S. of V., or a comrade of the G. A. 
R., as Janitor, whose duties shall be to care for and 
clean all the rooms and furnishings therein belong- 



54 



SONS OF VETERANS GUIDE. 



ing ; to keep the corridors and approaches to the 
Camp Room in a cleanly condition ; to biiild and 
care for fires and lights. 

The Janitor shall be nnder the direction of the 
Captain of the Camp, the Captain being respon- 
sible to the Camp for the faithful performance of 
his duties ; and for any dereliction of duty he shall 
be removable by the Captain. He shall receive 
such compensation as the Camp from time to time 
may direct. 

Section 4. — No brother shall be allowed in the 
ante-room during the sessions of the Camp, except 
those whose duties require their presence there, and 
recruits who are waiting muster ; provided, how- 
ever, that brothers coming into the ante-room 
while the ceremony of muster-in is in progress, 
shall be required to remain until such ceremony is 
finished, before entering the hall. 

ARTICLE X. 

amendments. 
These By-Laws may be altered or amended at 
any stated meeting of the Camp by vote of two- 
thirds of the members present, such proposed 
amendment having been submitted in writing and 
entertained by the Camp at a previously stated 
meeting. 



CHAPTER V. 

THE DIVISION. 

Three Camps are the minimum number to form 
a Division. Chap. III., Art. I., Sec. 1. 

2. Governedby a Division Encampment. Chap. 
III., Art. I., Sec. 2. 

3. Membership of Division Encampment con- 
sists of the Colonel, Lieutenant Colonel, Major, 
Surgeon, Chaplain, Adjutant, Quartermaster, In- 
spector, Judge Advocate, Mustering Officer, Mem- 
bers of Division Council, all Past Commanders in 
Chief, Past Grand Division Commanders and 
Past Colonels, Past Camp Captains, Sitting Camp 
Captains, Representatives and Alternates from each 
Camp. Chap. III., Art. II., Sees. 1 and 2. 

4. Number of Representatives from each Camp 
to be determined by First Sergeant's report last 
preceding the election, made September 30th, of 
each year. Chap. III., Art. II., Sec. 5. 

5. Annual meeting of Encampment between 
April 1st and July 10th, of each year. Chap. III., 
Art. III., Sec. 1. 

6. Four weeks' notice of Annual Meeting to be 
given each Camp. Chap. III., Art. III., Sec. 2. 



56 



7. Special meetings may be ordered by Colonel 
by consent of Division Council. 

8. . No business except that specified in the call,, 
and no changes or alterations affecting the general 
interests or welfare of the Order, to be transacted 
at special meetings. Chap. III., Art. III., Sec. 3. 

9. Notice of special meetings to be forwarded 
under seal and duly signed, to each member of the 
Encampment, two weeks prior to same. Chap. III.^ 
Art. III., Sec. 4. 

10. Committees of Division Encampment are 
on Ritual, on Resolutions, on Reports of Officers^ 
on Constitution. Rules and Regulations, to con- 
sist of not less than three nor more than five mem- 
bers each, all of Avhom are aj^pointed by the 
Colonel. {Order of Busmess). Chap. III., Art* 
X., Sees. 1 and 2. 

11. May adopt By-Laws subject to the approval 
of the Commander in Chief. Chap. III., Art. X. 

12. To have charter signed by Commander in 
Chief and Adjutant General. Fee for same to be 
not less then ten nor more than fifteen dollars* 
Chap. YI., Art. I., Sec. 5. 

13. Charter may be revoked by the Com- 
mandery, or the Commander in Chief, with the 
consent of the Council in Chief, on failure to for- 
ward reports or dues for three-quarters of a year* 
Chap. YI., Art. I., Sec. 6. 



THE DIVISIOX. 



57 



14. The tax of the Division, paid to the Coiu- 
mandery, not to exceed twenty cents on each mem- 
ber in good standing. Chap. YI., Art. III., Sec. 1. 

15. Tax to be paid in installments in equal 
parts, to be forwarded by the Colonel to the 
<^uartermaster General, on or before the last days 
of January, Aj^ril, July and October. Chap. YI., 
Art. III., Sec. 1. 

16. May assess a tax of not more than fifty 
cents per member on each Camp. Chap. YI., Art. 
III., Sec. 2. 

17. Division in arrears for reports and dues, is 
deprived of representation in Commandery until 
forwarded. Chap. YI., Art. lY., Sec. 1. 

18. May adopt a Division Mark to be worn on 
the top of cap. 

19. The Division Encamimient is entitled to 
have four flags. 1st, the National Flag ; 2d, En- 
campment Color, of red, etc.; 3d, two small col- 
ors of red — same as described in Chap. YI., Art. 
XIII., Sec. 3. 

20. The Seal to consist of the full Coat of 

Arms, surrounded by the words, " Division^ 

JSons of Veterans^ United States of A^nerica.'''' 

21. Division Ofiicers failing or refusing to per- 
form their duties, may be placed in arrest by the 
Commander in Chief. 



58 soxs OF veterans' guide. 

22. Acting Division Colonel may be appointed 
by the Commander in Chief. 

23. When Division Officers are removed, the 
Division^ Council should convene for the election 
of officers. 

24. Division Officers hold office until their suc- 
cessors are installed. 

25. Commander in Chief shall order Colonel 
to perform any neglected duty, and on failure to 
obey, may take jurisdiction of the Division. 

26. Division officer does not forfeit his office 
by reason of any misconduct of his Camp. 

27. Division having made out and mailed a 
report, has a right to suppose that it has been re- 
ceived, in the absence of any notification to the 
contrary. 

28. Division Officer may be an officer of his- 
own Camp. 

29. Officers must be installed before they can 
act as such. 



CHAPTER VI. 

DIVISIOX OFFICERS. 

Elected Officers. — Colonel,Lieutenaiit-Colonel 
and Major, Division Council, Delegates and 
Alternates. 

Appointed Officers. — Surgeon with the rank 
of Major, a Chaplain with the rank Captain, an 
Adjutant, a Quartermaster, an Inspector, a Muster- 
ing Officer and a Judge Advocate, with the rank 
of First Lieutenant, and as many Aides, with rank 
of Second Lieutenant, as may be deemed neces- 
sary, not exceeding one, however, from each Camp 
in the Division. The clerical force appointed shall 
rank as follows : For the Adjutant as Sergeant 
Major; for the Quartermaster as Quartermaster 
Sergeant ; for the Division Council as First Ser- 
geant ; and for the Inspector, Judge Advocate and 
Musterinoj Officer as Sersjeants. 

Duties of Colonel. — The Colonel shall preside 
at all meetings of the Division Encampment and the 
Division Council. He shall enforce a strict obedi- 
ence to the Constitution and By-Laws of the 
Divison, and shall perform such other duties as 
are encumbent on him. Chap. III., Art. VII., 
Sec. 1. 



60 



SONS OF VETERANS GUIDE. 



2. He is ex-efficio a member of the Commandery 
in Chief. Chap. lY., Art. III., Sec. 1. 

3. Holds as Trustee the bond of the Quarter- 
master. Chap. VI., Art. VII., Sec. 6. 

4. Names selected for Camps must be sub- 
mitted for his approval. 

5. May grant dispensation in writing for any 
Camp to receive the application of, and muster any 
recruit on the same night of the meeting. Chap. 
II., Art. II., Sec. 3. 

6. May grant dispensation to rule requiring 
applicants to present themselves for muster within 
three months from date of election. Chap. II., 
Art. II., Sec. 7. 

7. May muster applicants residing outside the 
territorial limits of any Camp, or may detail a 
staff officer or brother for that duty. Chap. II., 
Art II., Sec. 9. 

8. May request oj^inion of Judge Advocate on 
points of law, whenever deemed necessary. 

9. Forward reports and per capita tax to the 
Adjutant General, on or before last days of Jan- 
uary, April, July, and October. 

10. Shall give transfer cards, attested by Adju- 
tant, and under seal, to members of disbanded 
Camps, who were in good standing at time of dis- 
solution. Chap. II., Art. IV., Sec. 4. 



DIVISION OFFICERS. 61 

11. Must review proceedings, findings and 
sentence of Courts-Martial, if sentence is Dishonor- 
able Discharge. 

12. Can order Courts-Martial to try offenders 
within his jurisdiction. Sec. 3, Art. VI., Chap. 
VI. 

13. Can only be tried by Court-Martial ordered 
by CommandeT-in-Chief. 

14. May be suspended by the Commander-in- 
Chief when charges are preferred against him. 

15. Past Colonels entitled to wear Silver Cross 
attached to the Division Ribbon. Chap. VI., Art. 
XL, Sec. 3. 

16. Insignia of rank consists of ranks straps 
with black velvet field, on which is silver spread 
eagle, to be worn on coat collar, just above the 
seam on the lapels. Chap. VI., Art. X., Sec. 1, 
Clause 3. 

17. May suspend an officer from the perform- 
ance of his official duties. 

18. As reviewing officer, may return jDroceed- 
ings of Court-Martial for revision. 

19. May, on information that an election of 
Camp Officers is illegal, postpone installation until 
investigation is had. 

20. May annul, or cause to be annulled, illegal 
proceedings of a Camp. 



62 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

21. Can overrule the decisions of a Camp 
Council without an appeal having been taken. 

22. Alone responsible for the organization of 
a new Camp, and he may grant or reject the ap- 
plication regardless of any existing Camj). 

24. Has not power to annul a ballot, or to in- 
quire into the motives of those who vote to reject 
an application. 

25. May communicate Pass-word and Counter- 
sign. 

26. Office of Colonel cannot be declared vacant 
by reason of his absence from the Division. 

27. May grant a dispensation to armed and 
equipped Camps to adopt the U. S. Army Dress 
Uniform. 

28. May grant a dispensation to officers of 
armed and equipped Camj^s to wear the regulation 
shoulder straps. 

Lieutenant Colonel and Major. — The Lieu- 
tenant Colonel and Major shall assist the Com- 
mander in the performance of his duties, and in his 
absence or disability shall fill his office, according 
to seniority. Sec. 2., Art. VIL, Chap. HI. 

Adjutant. — Keeps Records of Proceedings of 
Division Encampment, and of the Division 
Council. 

2 Conducts all correspondence and issues all 
orders under the direction of the Colonel. 



DIVISION OFFICERS. 63 

3. Draws all requisitions on Quartermaster. 

4. Makes out all returns to Commandery Head- 
quarters, and transmits the same through Division 
Commander to Adjutant-General. 

5. Countersigns all charters issued by Com- 
mander. 

6. Keeps an Order Book, a Letter Book, an 
Endorsement and Memorandum Book, and files of 
all orders, reports and correspondence received and 
remaining in his office. 

7. Performs such other duties, and keeps such 
other records as shall be required of him by the 
Commander or the Division Encampment. 

8. Should make a full report to Division En- 
campment, and when retiring from office, to deliver 
to his successor all moneys, books, and other 
property of the Division in his possession, or under 
his control. 

9. Shall attest and affix seal to all Transfers 
granted by the Commander. Sec. 4, Art. IV., 
Chap II. 

10. Shall recommend a brother for appoint- 
ment as Sergeant Major. Sec. 4, Art. VI., Chap. 
II. 

11. Shall report disbandment of Camps to 
Adjutant General. 

12. Is a member of the Division Encampment 
and Council. 



64 



13. Wears ribbon prescribed for Camp officers, 
— blue. 

14. Insignia of rank, is rank straps of black 
velvet and gold, with one bar thereon, worn on coat 
collar. 

15. Should notify Camps of failure to receive 
returns. {See Divisioii Records.) 

QuAKTEEMASTEE. — Should hold the funds, se- 
curities, vouchers and j^roperty of the Division. 

2. Fills all requisitions drawn by the Adjutant 
and approved by the Commander. 

3. Shall give Bond, to be approved by Division 
Council, for the faithful performance of his duties. 
Sec. 3, Art. YII., Chap. VI. 

4. Shall consolidate returns of Q. M. Sergeants 
within twenty days after the commencement of 
each quarterly term. Sec. 6, Art. II., Chap. VI. 

5. Member of Division Encampment and 
Council. 

6. Wears the Camp officer's ribbon, — blue. 

7. Insignia of rank, — same as Adjutant. {See 
Divisio7i Mecords.) 

Chaplain. — Conducts devotional exercises of 
the Division Encamj^ment, and shall perform such 
other duties as may be required of him. (Ixstal- 

LATION.) 

Inspectoe. — Receives reports of inspection of 



DIVISION OFFICERS. 65 

Camps, and makes consolidated report to Com- 
mander and Inspector General. (See Inspection, 
also Art. Y., Chap. VI.) 

Judge- Advocate. — Passes upon questions re- 
ferred to him by the Division Commander. 

2. Makes written report to Division Encamp- 
ment, 

Mustering Officer. — The duties of the officer 
are not defined in the Constitution, and conse- 
quently they vary in different Divisions. Cus- 
tom, however, generally requires him to form and 
muster new Camps in his division, under orders of 
the Colonel. 

2. He should make a written report to the 
Division Encampment. 

3. Is a member of the Encampment and the 
Council. 

4. Wears same Ribbon and Insignia of Rank 
as the Adjutant. {See Muster of JSTeio Camps.) 

Division Council. — They shall, with their ad- 
vice and counsel, aid and assist the Division-Com- 
mander in the performance of his duties. They 
shall be charged with the general care, control and 
supervision of the funds of the Division, and shall 
be responsible for and look after all its material 
interests. They shall devise and recommend such 
measures as will enable the Division to meet all its 
7 



66 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

necessary expenditures, and shall examine and pass 
upon all accounts and bills incurred by any and all 
officers and committees of the Encampment. They 
shall examine all the books, vouchers, and other 
papers of all the different officers of the Division, 
and shall audit all their accounts. They shall 
keep a full and detailed record of all their proceed- 
ings, and shall present a complete report to the 
Division Encampment, at each stated yearly meet- 
ing of the same, and at such other times as the 
Commanding Officer of the Division may direct. 
Sec. 1, Art. X., Chap. III. 

2. The Division Council shall have one stated 
meeting each year, the same to be held prior to, 
and at the same place as that of the stated yearly 
meeting of the Division Encampment. Special 
meetino^ of the Division Council niav be convened 
by the Commanding Officer of the Division, at 
such times and places within the Division limits as 
he may direct, providing that due notice of the 
same shall be sent to each member of the Council 
at least two weeks j^rior to the time named for the 
meeting, and the notice shall set forth the emer- 
gency and the business to be transacted. Sec. 2, 
Art. X., Chap. III. 

3. Seven members constitute a quorum. Sec. 
3, Art. X., Chap. III. 



DIVISION OFFICERS. 67 

4. Can fill vacancy in their number. Sec. 2, 
Art. IX., Chap. III. 

5. May fill vacancy in elective officers of the 
Division. Sec. 3, Art. YI., Chap. III. 

6. Approves bond of Quartermaster. Sec. 3, 
Art. VII., Chap. VI. 

7. Has no power to legalize an illegal act of 
Camp Commander. 

8. Are members of Encampment. 

9. Member holding transfer card may act. 
(^'ee Quartermaster^ Auditing Accounts^ Dimsion 
Becords.) 

Reports. — All of the Division Officers, elected 
or appointed, together with the Council, should 
present written reports of the business of their 
respective departments at each annual meeting of 
the Division Encampment. This does not include 
Aides-de-Camp and Assistant Inspectors. 



CHAPTER YII. 

DIVISION RECORDS. 

The records of a Division should consist of the 
books named in the duties of Adjutant and Quar- 
termaster, and it has been the custom of some 
Divisions to add others ; but we shall not endeavor 
to enter in detail into the manner in which each 
division keeps its records, but will present in a gen- 
eral way such rules as are applicable to all. 

Division Descriptive Book. — This book should 
contain the name of every brother in the Division, 
together with a description similar to that found in 
the Camp Descriptive Book. The names should be 
arranged according to Camps, with blank leaves 
left for addition. Thus, Camp No. 1 should occupy 
the first six leaves of the Book, and so on. When 
the Adjutant receives the application for a charter, 
*and the Camp is mustered, he enters all the names 
appearing on the Chapter Application on the De- 
scriptive Book, and when he receives the quarterly 
returns of the First Sergeant, he will examine them 
to see if they are correct, enter all names found on 
the Muster Roll in his Descriptive Book, enter 
under the head of Remarks, in pencil^ '-^ Suspended^ 



DIVISION RECORDS. 69 



-, 188-,'''' agaiMSt the names of the brothers 



reported suspended; Mgainst the names of those 
reported dropped, dead, honorably discharged, 
transferred, dishonorably discharged, he will enter 
the words in 7^ed ink, ^'' Dropped^'' "J9et«^," " Hon- 
or ably Discharged,'^ " Transferred^^ ^^Dishonora- 
bly Discharged,^'' with the date thereof. When a 
brother is reinstated, he will erase the word ''^ sus- 
pended^^ from against his name. Thus the exact 
history of the standing of each brother in the Di- 
vision can be ascertained at a glance. 

When a Camp surrenders its charter, or when 
the same is annulled, write across the last page of 
the Descriptive Book devoted to this Camp, 

" Charter surrendered, , 188- ; transfer cards 

granted JVos. 5, 7, 8, 10, 11,'' etc. " C. D. Adju- 
tant," or " Charter antiulled by the Coni^nander -in- 
Chief , 188-. C. D. Adjutant:' 

All records of defunct Camps turned over to the 
Adjutant, should be carefully preserved. 

Division Roster Book should contain the 
names of the Elective Officers of the Division, 
Past-Colonels, members of the Council, Delegates 
and Alternates to the Commandery, Division Staff, 
including Aides-de-camp and Assistant Inspectors. 
It should contain the full name, the rank, date of 
rank, residence, and a place for Remarks. When 



70 SONS OF VETEExVNS' GUIDE. 

an officer resigns, dies, is removed, discharged, etc., 
it should be so entered under " Remarks," together 
with the date. 

The Camp Roster should contain the name, 
number, and location of each Camp, the names of 
the Captain, First and Second Lieutenants, First 
Sergeant, Quartermaster-Sergeant, and members of 
the Council. The date of rank should be given, 
the residence, and a place should be left for Re- 
marks, under which all resignations, transfers, and 
discharges should be entered. 

Register of Camp Charters. — This book 
should be so ruled as to contain tlie Number, Name, 
Location, Date of Charter, When Published, When 
Annulled or Surrendered, of each Camp in the 
Division. 

Order Book. — This book contains all General 
and Sj^ecial Orders issued by the Colonel. They 
should be written out in full, and should appear in 
consecutive order. Printed copies should never be 
pasted into the Order Book. 

Opinions of Judge Advocate, and decisions 
of the Colonel, should also be recorded in full in a 
book kept for that purpose, properly numbered, 
and containing a syllabus for ready reference. 

Roll of Encampments. — This book contains 
the name of each Division officer or past officer en- 



DIVISION RECORDS. 71 



titled to vote in the Division Encampment, and 
the names of the Cam]) officers, i3ast officers, dele- 
gates and alternates should be entered as soon as 
reported, under the name of the Camp to which 
they belong. 

Journal of Proceedings. — The proceedings of 
each encampment should be written in this book. 
The original notes to be placed on file, together 
with all officers' and committees' reports, and other 
documents relating to the Encampment. 

Indorsement and Memorandum Book. — All 
items of importance occurring at headquarters 
should be noted in this book. For example : 
*' Thursday, , 188- ; sent consolidated re- 
turns and tax of twenty-five dollars to Adjutant- 
General. Received application for Camp Charter 
from . Received application for dispensa- 
tion to muster recruits from Captain . Is- 
sued Special Orders granting same," etc. All in- 
dorsements made on official documents passing- 
through, into, or issuing from Division headquar- 
ters, should be copied into this book. 

Several copies of each General Order issued 
from Division headquarters should be preserved to 
supply missing numbers in Camp Files. 

General Orders — how promulgated. — All 
General Orders are mailed to Camps and Officers 



72 



by the Adjutant. Two copies of each order should 
be mailed to each Camp^Captain, one for his own 
use, and the other to be read and placed on file in 
the Camp Archives. Take your Camp Roster and 
supply every Camp first. Then take the Division 
Roster and mail one coj^y to each Division officer. 
Then from the remainder mail one copy to each of 
the National officers, Colonels of the other Divis- 
ions, and to G. A. R. and S. of Y. newspapers. 

Blank Returns. — Send out two copies of First 
Sergeants' return, and two copies of Quartermas- 
ter Sergeants' return to the Captain of each Camp 
at least one month prior to the close of the quarter. 
Be sure that you do not omit a single camp in for- 
warding these blanks and General Orders. Go 
over the list twice, and be certain that no mistake 
is made. It is well to require each Captain to ac- 
knowledge the receipt of blank returns and Gen- 
eral Orders. Do not omit to send copies of your 
orders to Grand Army and S. of Y. papers. This 
will advertise the Division and the Order, and let 
others know what you are doing. 

Letter Book. — It is the custom to preserve 
copies of all important letters sent out from head- 
quarters. These are copied into the Letter Copy 
book, and indexed. 

Reception of Returns. — The First Sergeant's 



DIVISION RECORDS. 73 

and Quartermaster-Sergeant's retains and money 
for the per capita tax should always be mailed to 
the Adjutant. On receipt of the same, the Adju- 
tant will note the date of reception on the back, 
and will also indorse on the Quartermaster-Ser- 
geant's return the amount of the tax enclosed, and 
the number of members in good standing. He will 
enter the P'irst Sergeant's return on the Descrip- 
tive Book, and at the same time it should be en- 
tered on the Adjutant's Consolidated return to the 
Adjutant-General. He will then send a receipt, 
and the passioord, if necessaiy, to the Captain of 
the Camp, whose returns have been received. He 
should keep an account of all moneys passing 
through his hands, turning the funds over to the 
Quartermaster, taking his receipt. After all re- 
turns are in, the Adjutant will turn over to the 
Quartermaster the Camp Quartermaster-Sergeant's 
returns for the quarter in his j^ossession. 

Consolidated Returns. — Adjutants should 
write the number and name of each Camp on their 
Consolidated Return sheet before the first Camp 
return is received at their office ; and as fast as 
they are received the figures on them, if correct, 
should be entered on the Consolidated Return 
sheet against tlie Camp's name, in the columns pre- 
l^ared for them, the headings of which are suffi- 



74 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

ciently explanatory without special mention being 
made of them. 

After all these have been entered, then comes 
the most difficult pail, the making up of the " Re- 
capitulation^'' and great care should be used in fill- 
ing the same out. The following directions are 
given for your guidance : 

Firsts Add the figures in the column headed 
" Number in Good Stmding at Last Report," also 
count the number of Camps which have reported, 
and enter the result in the Recapitulation after the 
above-named words. 

Second^ Add the figures under " By Muster in," 
and also count the Camps mustered during the past 
quarter, and enter in the Recapitulation after these 
words. 

Thirds Add the figures under "By Transfer," 
and enter as above. 

Fourth^ Add the figures under " By Reinstate- 
ment," and carry the result to the proper place in 
the Recapitulation, also count the Camps reinstated, 
and enter the same. 

Now turn to the Recapitulation and cast up the 
column headed " Camps," and ihen the one headed 
"Members" in the " Gains"; enter the result after 
the word "Aggregate," at the foot of the cohimns, 



DIVISION RECORDS. 75 

and you then have the aggregate number of Camps 
and members in your Division, 

It is well to verify the above result by adding 
up the aggregate column on the inside of the Re- 
turn sheet, which must correspond with the aggre- 
gate of the Recapitulation. 

The Losses must then be estimated, and deducted 
from the aggregate. 

First, "By Camps having disbanded"; this is 
the first colunm under losses, and you should enter 
the number of members in good standing of each 
Camp disbanded, at the date of their last report 
received by you. Add this column, nnd count the 
Camps disbanded, entering same after above-named 
words in the Recapitulation. 

Second, Add the " By Death" column, and enter 
in the place assigned in the Recapitulation. 

Third, Do the same by the columns headed " By 
Honorable Discharge," "By Transfer," and "Dis- 
honorable Discharge." Do not get the columns 
headed "By Transfer" in the "Gains" mixed with 
the " By Transfers " in the " Losses." 

Fourth. All Camps which do not report and 
pay per capita tax should be reported " suspended," 
and the membership of the same, as indicated by 
the last report received prior to the quarter on 
which they were suspended, should be entered in 



76 

the " Suspended or Dropped " column. The Camps 
so suspended should bo counted, and the " Sus- 
pended or Dropped" column added, and the result 
carried to the Recapitulation under the proper head. 

Xow you are ready to ascertaiu the "Losses." 
Turn to the Recapitulation, and under " Loss '^ 
cast up the " Camp " column, and then the "Mem- 
bership," carrying the results out to the places in- 
dicated, after the words " Total Loss." You then 
have the losses in Camps and Members from all 
sources. Subtract the " losses " from the " aggre- 
gate," and then you have "Number remaining in 
good standing upon which per capita tax is due." 

Sign the report. Then enter after the Avords 
"Numbers of the several Catnps which have failed 
to report," the official number of each and every 
Camp from which returns have not been received. 

SUGGESTIONS. 

Verify your total loss in the Recapitulation by 
the "total loss" column on the inside of the sheet. 

Do the same by the column marked " Number 
remaining in good standing." 

If more space is required, do not attach or paste 
on paper, but use an additional blank, and attach 
it at the top by paper fasteners or pins. Place the 
list of Camps in numerical order. 



DIVISION RECORDS. 77 

Opposite the name of every Camp that has been 
disbanded during tlie quarter, write in red ink 
"Disbanded," giving the date, and enter the num- 
ber of members of each disbanded Camp in column 
headed " By Camp having disbanded." 

In the absence or disability of the Colonel com- 
manding the Division, the next available officer in 
rank will sign the papers as " Lieutenant Colonel 
(or Major) Commanding," and they will then, with 
the per cajiita tax due, be promptly forwarded to 
Headquarters Sons of Veterans, U. S. A. 

In the event that all of the Reports and Returns 
due from any Division are not received at head- 
quarters within twenty days after the commence- 
ment of the new quarter, the Adjutant General 
will at once call the attention of the Division Colo- 
nel to the deficiency, and will at the same time in- 
struct the aide-de-camp at or nearest to Division 
Headquarters, to at once ascertain the cause of the 
delay, and to personally see that the business is 
promptly attended to, and the papers forwarded. 
Division Commanders will not allow their Reports 
to be delayed on account of the delinquency of 
Camp Commanders, but after waiting a reasonable 
time will make up their Reports from the data in 
hand, and forward with per capita tax, reporting 
the numbers of the delinquent Camps on next page. 
8 



78 



SONS OF VETERANS GUIDE. 



Dispensations granted by the Colonel should 
issue from the office of the Adjutant, and should 
be drawn up on the blank provided for this pur- 
pose, and then recorded verbatim in a book of 
Dispensations. 

One cojDy of this report should be retained. 

The Quartermaster generally keeps a Cash 
Book, Ledger and Letter Book. 

There are various good methods of keeping 
these books, but we shall endeavor to name and 
illustrate but one of them. 

Cash Book. — In this book should be entered all 
cash receipts from every source, and it should be 
so ruled as to show whether they were for " Sup- 
plies," " Charter Fees," or " Per Capita Tax." For 
example : 

Division Cash Book. 
Cash Received. 



1887. 




L.P. 


Charter 

Fees. 


Sup- 
plies. 


Per 
Capita 
Tax. 


June 1 
3 

8 


Camp No. 14, 
Garfield Camp, No. 20, 
Anderson Camp, No. 7, 

Total Charter Fee, 

" Supplies, 

" Per Capita Tax, 

Grand Total, 


18 
19 


$12 50 

m'io 


$4 80 


$5 00 




$4 30 


$5 00 






4 30 

5 00 










$2180 





DIVISION RECORDS. 



79 



In the Cash Book the following form is on the 
page opposite to the above : 

Cash 2) aid out. 



1887. 






])lies. 


Char- 
ters. 


Ex- 
pense. 


June 1 

2 

4 


Paid postage, 
" Charter for Camp 

No. 14, 
" 1 dozen Badges, 

Total Supplies, 
" Charters, 
" Expense, 

" paid out, 
Balance on hand, 




$6 00 


2 00 


2 10 




6 00 

2oO 
2 10 










10 10 

11 70 










2180 







Each amount paid out should be entered in the 
Cash Book under " Cash Paid Out," and be sup- 
ported by proper vouchers, i.e., written orders 
from the Colonel. 

The following is a good form of an order on the 
Quartermaster for money. 

Order on Quartermaster. 



No. 5 

Name John Brown, 

Amount $50.00. 

What purpose 

Printing Proceedings 
■2d Encampment. 



if 50 Headquarters Division of 

Sons of Veterans, U. S. A. 

188-. 

To Lieut Division Quartermaster. 

Pay to John Brovm, or order, Fifty Dollars 
for Printing Proceedings of 2d Encampment. 
Colonel. 



Received $50, . . . . 18 . . , in full for bill rendered 
John Broion. 



80 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

The words in italics should be in writing, the re^ 
mainder is a printed blank. 

For the convenience of the auditing committee, 
the receipt should be taken on the face of the 
voucher. 

These vouchers should be filed in the order in 
which they are entered on the books. 

Ledger. — The accounts between the Camps and 
the Divisions, so far as they pertain to charter fees 
and per capita tax, are kej^t in this book, also the 
account between the Commandery-in-chief and the 
Division. 

. In keeping this book a great deal must be left to 
the judgment and good taste of the Quartermas- 
ter, and, therefore, special comment thereon is 
deemed unnecessary. 

Money. — All moneys belonging to the Division 
should be deposited in its name in some safe, relia- 
ble bank, subject to the check of the Quartermaster. 

Close Accounts but once a year. The books 
can be figured easily at any time when so desired. 
The Quartermaster's vouchers, added to the cash 
on hand, must agree with his receipts of cash. 

Requisitions for Supplies. — Xever file an or- 
der unless made on the regular blank, and accom- 
panied by cash. Indorse the receipt of the same 
on the back, and also the time and manner of send- 



DIVISION RECORDS. 81 

ing suj^plies ; that is, whether they were sent by 
mail or express. Then place the Requisition on 
file. Requisitions not filled should be kept in a 
separate file until the supplies are sent. 

Ordering Supplies. Do not order unneces- 
sary supplies. Estimate the amount you will need 
each quarter, and then let the Colonel make requi- 
sition on the Quartermaster-General for the same. 
Experience will teach you that more supplies are 
ordered by Camps during the winter and early 
spring, than in the summer and fall. From June 
to October, as a general rule, few supplies should 
be ordered. If you have an oftice, prepare pigeon 
holes and shelves for the reception of blanks, with 
the name of the blank each contains posted or 
painted thereon. You will find it very convenient 
in filling requisitions, saving you much trouble and 
annoyance. Become familiar with the appearance 
and use of each blank, so that you may readily 
recognize the same, and be prepared to give 
instruction. Fill all orders and discharge your du- 
ties promptly. Bear in mind that all requisitions 
not filled should be filed in a separate file, until 
the supplies ordered by them are sent. If you 
have not the supplies ordered in stock, notify the 
Camp making requisition for the same, and order 
them from the Quartermaster-General at once ; or 



82 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

if more convenient, or if the supplies are needed 
at once, borrow them of the nearest Division, re- 
paying in kind at the earliest opportunity. 

Quartermaster's Returns. — The quarterly re- 
turn sheet for the Quartermaster is so simple that 
special instructions concerning the making up of 
the same are unnecessary. In making up this re- 
turn, however, care should be taken that the num- 
ber of members on the report agree with that of 
the Adjutant. 

Auditing Accounts. — It is the duty of the 
Council to audit all accounts. Take the books and 
go over each account to see that no mistake is 
made in adding, subtracting, etc. Then go to the 
source from which all moneys have been received ; 
requisitions and quarterly camp returns. If funds 
have been received from other sources, evidence of 
the same should be furnished the Council. Trans- 
fer these amounts to paper, and add, then you 
have the total amount of cash received during the 
year. Does it agree with the Quartermaster's re- 
port ? Take the vouchers, examine them carefully 
to see if they are properly made out and receipted, 
then transfer the amounts to paper, and add ; this 
should giv^e you the amount of funds paid out. 
See if it agrees with the Quartermaster's report. 
Subtract this amount from the amount received, 



DIVISION RECORDS. 83 

and you have the cash on hand (if any) . Count 
the cash to see if it agrees with your figures. 
Great care should be taken in auditing accounts, 
so that frauds and dishonesty may readily be 
detected. 

Do not rely on the Quartermaster's statement as 
to the amount received and the amount o/i handy 
but investigate for yourself. This is a matter very 
often neglected. 

Official Questions to the Council should be 
submitted on Form 40, and should be so framed 
that they can be answered by " yes " or " no," or 
"favorably" or "unfavorably." All explanatory 
matter accompanying the questions should be writ- 
ten on separate paper. The Official questions 
should be numbered in the order of issue, and the 
reply of the member should appear upon the face 
over his own signature. It should then be re- 
corded by the Adjutant. 



CHAPTER Yin. 

COMMAXDERY-IN-CHIEF. 

1. The Commandeiy- in-chief shall be the su- 
preme source of power for the Sons of Veterans, 
and under its complete and concentrated authority 
shall make all needful rules and regulations to in- 
sure a uniform system in all things, and the perma- 
nency and continued success of the Order through- 
out the whole country. To this end, no form of 
government, either general or local, shall be con- 
sidered as legally established until the same has 
been submitted to and duly approved by the Com- 
mandery, at a stated yearly meeting of the same. 
The Commandery shall, through its proper officers, 
from time to time publish all necessary orders, and 
give all detailed instructions necessary to maintain 
uniformity, and for the information and guidance 
of all concerned, and shall make it its especial 
duty to see that in all the different branches of the 
order the same are faithfully and fully complied 
with. Chap. IV., Art. I. 

2. Membership of the Commandery consists of 
the General and Commander-in-chief, Lieutenant- 
General, Major-General, Chief of Staff, Adjutant- 



COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF. 85 

General, Quartermaster-General, Inspector-Gen- 
eral, Surgeon-General, Chaplain- in-chief, Chief 
Mustering officer, .Tudge-Aclvocate General, five 
members of the Council-in-chief, Past Grand Divis- 
ion Commanders, Past Colonels of Divisions, Sit- 
ting Division Colonels, and Delegates and Alter- 
nates from each Division in the ratio of one for 
every one thousand members in good standing, and 
an additional Representative for a final fraction of 
more than one-half of the number. Divisions are 
entitled to one representative in addition to the 
Representative at Large, whatever their number^ 
The number of Representatives of each Division 
to be determined by the Adjutant's report last pre- 
ceding the election. (See Division.) 

3. Annual meeting to occur in August of each 
year. Chap. lY., Art. III., Sec. 1. 

4. Six weeks' notice should be given of Annual 
meeting, and a change of the time named should 
promptly be made public. Chap. IV., Art. III., 
Sec. 3. 

5. Special meetings can be ordered by the Com- 
mander-in-chief, with the consent of the Council- 
in-chief, but no business except that named in the 
call, and no changes or alterations affecting the 
general interest and welfare of the Order shall be 
transacted. Chap. IV., Art. III., Sec. 4. 



86 

6. Six weeks' notices, signed and under seal, 
must be given of time and place of special meet- 
ings, and the business to be transacted. Chap. IV., 
Art. III., Sec. 5. 

7. Officers are chosen by ballot at yearly meet- 
ing, a majority of the votes cast being necessary 
for a choice. Chap. IV., Art. VI., Sec. 1. 

8. Committees — to consist of not less than five 
members each : on Credentials ; on Constitutions, 
Rules and Regulations ; on Ritual and on Resolu- 
tions ; to be appointed by Commander-in-chief at 
annual meeting. 

9. Changes to Rules and Regulations and Rit- 
ual must be recommended to the Commandery by 
a two-thirds vote of a Division Encampment, such 
proposed changes to be published at least four 
weeks prior to the meeting at which action is to be 
had. A two-thirds vote of the Commandery will 
then be necessary for adoption. Chap. IV., Art. X. 

10. May, at yearly meeting, revoke the charter 
of any Division three quarters in arrears for re- 
ports or dues. Chap. VI., Art. I., Sec. 6. 

11. Furnishes all siipj^lies needed by the Order. 
Chap. VI., Art. II., Sec. 7. 

12. Taxes Divisions not more than twenty cents 
per member. Chap. VI., Art. III., Sec. 1. 

13. The Commandery is entitled to four flags : 



COMMANDERY-IX-CHTEF. 87 

1 N'ational Colors. 2 Commandery color of red,, 
white and blue. 3 Two small colors of red, white 
and blue, same as described in Chap. YI , Art. 
XIII., Sec. 4. 

14. Official seal consists of the full Coat of 
Arms of the Order, surrounded by the words 
^^ Commandery-in- Chiefs Sons of Veterans, United 
States of America.''^ Chap. YI., Art. YII. 

15. Special duty of this body to maintain the 
claims of the Order of being non-sectarian and 
non-political. Chap. YI., Art. XX. 

16. This body alone possesses the power to alter 
or amend the Constitutions, Rules and Regulations. 

17. May suspend any section for the time being, 
except Article X. 

18. AYhere reports have been sent and not re- 
ceived, delegates are admitted. 

19. Members of, must be in good standing. 

20. A Past Division Colonel, though a member 
of a Camp in another Division than that of which 
he was Colonel, is a member of the Commandery- 
in- chief. 



CHAPTER IX. 

CO^rMA:N^DEEY-IN-CHIEF OFFICERS. 

Elective Officers. — General and Commander- 
in-chief, Lieutenant-General, Major-General (and 
five members of the Council-in-Chief to be chosen 
by ballot). 

Appointive Officers. — Chief of Staff, Adju- 
tant-General, Quartermaster-General, Inspector- 
General, Chief Mustering Officer, Judge-Advocate 
General, Surgeon-General, Chaplain-in-chief, and 
not exceeding four Aides-de-Camp for each 
Division. 

Duties of Commander-in-chief. — The Com- 
mander-in-chief shall i)reside at all meetings of the 
Commandery and the Council-in-chief. He shall 
enforce a strict obedience to the Constitution and 
By-Laws of the Commandery, and shall perform 
such other duties as are incumbent upon him. 
Chap. Y., Art. VII., Sec. 1. 

2. May grant a dispensation to rule, prohibiting 
the report of an investigating committee on night 
of appointment. Chap. II., Art. II., Sec. 3. 

3. May muster an aj^plicant for membership 
who resides outside the territorial limits of any 



COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF OFFICERS. 89 

Camp, or detail a brother for that duty. Chap. II., 
Art. II., Sec. 9. 

4. Can detail any officer or past officer of the 
Order for any special duty. Chap. V., Art. VL, 
Sec. 5. 

5. Shall appoint Standing Committees. Chap. 
v., Art. IX., Sec. 1, 2. 

6. Vacancies in Standing Committees filled by 
Commander-in-chief. Chap. Y., Art. IX., Sec. 5. 

7. Shall promulgate all proposed, changes in the 
Rules and Regulations in General Orders. Chap. 
v., Art. X., Sec. 5. 

8. Shall sign charters of Divisions and Grand 
Divisions. Chap. VI., Art. I., Sec. 5. 

9. May revoke, with consent of Council-in-chief, 
the Charter of any Division which has failed to 
forward reports and dues for three-quarters of a 
year, and remand such department to a provisional 
condition. Chap. VI., Art. I., Sec. 6. 

10. Shall, through proper channels, cause each 
Division to be divided into Sub-Divisions for in- 
spection. Chap. VI., Art. V., Sec. 1. 

11. May order Courts-Martial to try offenders 
in his jurisdiction. Chap. VI., Art. VI., Sec. 3. 

12. May suspend a Division Commander against 
whom charges have been preferred. Chap. VI., 
Art. VI., Sec. 7. 

9 



90 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

13. Shall hold as Trustee the Bonds of the Ad- 
jutant-General and Quartermaster-General. Chap. 
yi., Art. yil., Sec. 6. 

14. May issue Diplomas to Camp Advisory- 
Committee. Chap. VI., Art. XII., Sec. 1. 

15. May order disbursements from the treasury 
of the Commandery, to meet current expenses dur- 
ing the intervals of the meetings of the Council- 
in-chief. Chap, yi.. Art. Xyil., Sec. 2. 

16. Shall settle upon and distribute the Pass- 
word and Countersign. Chap, yi., Art. Xyill. 

17. Can cause to be published a Digest of the 
laws, rules and regulations, etc., as soon as conven- 
ient. Chap, yi.. Art. XXII. 

18. Has no authority to withdraw Division 
charter. 

19. May put Division- Colonel under arrest. 

20. May appoint Acting Division Colonel. 

21. Should order Colonel to perform neglected 
duty. 

22. May take charge of a Division and call a 
meeting of Division Encampment, when Colonel 
fails or neglects to call the yearly meetings, as di- 
rected in the Constitution. 

23. He has no power to fill vacancy in Council- 
in-chief. 

24. Can organize a Permanent Division from 
Provisional Division. 



COMMAXDERY-IN-CHIEF OFFICERS. 91 

25. May ratify acts of Provisional Commander. 

26. May, in the exercise of sound discretion, 
refuse to order a Court to try certain charges and 
specifications of a frivolous nature. 

27. May susj^end an officer from the discharge 
of his official duties, after charges are j^referred. 

28. Wears the Commandery Ribbon — yellow. 

29. Insignia of rank: rank straps of black vel- 
vet and gold, with four silver stars thereon, worn 
on coat collar. 

30. Past Commanders-in-chief are entitled to 
wear the Golden Star of the Order. 

31. Shall give a Bond. 
Lieutexaxt-Gexeral axd Major-Gexeral. — 

The Lieutenant-General and Major-General shall 
assist the Commander-in-chief in the performance 
of his duties, and in his absence or disability shall 
fill the office, according to seniority. Chap. V., 
Art. VII., Sec. 2. 

2. Are members of the Council-in-chief. Chap. 
v.. Art. lY. 

Chief of Staff. — For this officer no special 
duties are assigned by the Rules and Regulations. 
Under the direction of the Commander-in-chief 
he has the general oversight of the Commandery 
Staff. 

2. He is Ex-OFFicio a member of the Council- 
in-chief. Chap, v.. Art. IV. 



92 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

Adjutant-General. — Shall keep correct rec- 
ords of the proceedmgs of the Commandery-in- 
chief and Council-in-chief. 

2. Shall conduct its correspondence and issue 
the necessary orders, under direction of the Com- 
mander-in-chief. 

3. Shall turn over to the proper officers all re- 
turns received by him from Divisions. 

4. Shall prepare all books and blanks required 
for use of the Sons of Veterans, U. S. A., and 
shall distribute the same, under direction of the 
Commander-in-chief. Chap. VI., Art. II., Sec. 8. 

5. Shall draw requisitions on Quartermaster- 
General, approved by Commander-in-chief. Art. 
XVII., Sec. 2. 

6. Shall keep such other books and records, 
and perform such other duties as the Commander- 
in-chief or the Commandery may require of him. 

7. Shall give Bond, with sufficient sureties, ap- 
proved by Council-in-chief. Chap. VI., Art. VII., 
Sec. 5. 

8. Countersigns, under seal, the Charters of 
Divisions. 

9. Makes written or printed report at annual 
meeting of the Commandery. Chap. VI., Art. II., 
Sec. 4. 

10. Shall consolidate reports of Adjutants of 
the Divisions. Chap. VI., Art. II., Sec. 4. 



COMMANDERY-IN-CHIEF OFFICERS. 93 

11. Wears Ribbon prescribed for the Grand 
Division — white. 

12. Insignia of rank: rank straps, same as Com- 
mander-in-chief, except there is but one silver star. 

Quartermaster-General. — Shall hold the 
funds, securities and vouchers of the Commandery. 

2. Fills all requisitions drawn upon him by the 
Adjutant-General, approved by the Commander-in- 
chief. 

3. Shall give Bond, with sufficient sureties, ap- 
proved by Council-in-chief. Chap. VI., Art. VII., 
Sec. 5. 

4. Shall make a report to Commandery at the 
annual meeting of the same. 

Chief Ordnance Officer. — Furnishes all the 
badges to the different Camps of the Order. (This 
department has been put into the permanent charge 
of Major A. P. Davis, Father of the Order, Pitts- 
burg, Pa.) 

Inspector-General. — The Inspector-General 
shall perform such duties as are required of him by 
Chap. VI., Art. V. (See Inspection.) 

Chief Mustering Officer. — Shall perform such 
duties as are required of him by the Commander- 
in-chief. 

Judge-Advocate-General. — Passes upon ques- 
tions referred to him by the Commander-in-chief. 



94 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

General Provisions. 

The other officers of the Coraraandery shall, 
under orders and direction of the Commanding 
Officer, perform the duties pertaining to their re- 
spective offices, and such other duties as circum- 
stances require of them. . Chap. V., Art. VII., 
Sec. 3. 

The Chief of Stnff, Quartermaster, Commissary, 
Inspector, Judge-Advocate, and Surgeon-Generals, 
and the Chief Mustering and Ordnance Officers 
wear the same ribbon and insignia as the Adjutant- 
General. 

Coctncil-in-Chief. — 1. The Council-in-chief 
shall consist of the first three elective officers, the 
Chief of Staff, the Adjutant-General, the Quarter- 
master-General, the Inspector-General, the Ciiief 
Mustering Officer, the Judge-Advocate-General, 
the Chaplain-in-chief, and five members elected 
yearly by the Commandei-y-in-chief. 

2. Shall, with their advice and counsel, aid and 
assist the Commanding Officer in the performance 
of his duties. They shall be charged with the gen- 
eral care, control, and supervision of the funds of 
the Commandery-in-chief, and shall be lesponsible 
to and look after its material interests. They shall 
devise and recommend such measures as will ena- 
ble the Commandery to meet all its necessary ex- 



COMMANDERY-IX-CHIEF OFFICERS. 95 

penditures, and shall examine and pass upon all 
accounts and bills incurred by any and all officers 
and committees of tlie same. They shall examine 
all the books, vouchers, and other papers of all the 
different officers of the Commandery, and shall 
audit all their accounts. They shall keep a full 
and detailed record of all their proceedings, and 
present a complete report to the Commandery-in- 
chief at e:ich stated yearly meeting of the same, 
and at such other times as the Commanding Officer 
may direct. Chap. V., Ait. YIIL, Sec. 3. 

3. Approves Bonds of Adjutant-General and 
Quartermaster-General. Chap. YI., Art. VII., 
Sec. 5. 

4. Can fill vacancies in their numbers. Chap. 
VI., Art. VIIL, Sec. G. 

5. Fills vacancies in elective officers when they 
occur. Chap. VI., Art. .VI., Sec. 3. 

6. Approves Bonds of Adjutant-General and 
Quartermaster-General. Chap. VI., Art. VII., 
Sec. 5. 

7. Can fill vacancies in their numbers. Chap. 
VI., Art. VIIL, Sec. 6. 

8. Fills vacancies in elective officers when they 
occur. Chap. VI., Art. VI., Sec. 3. 



CHAPTER X. 

COEEESPONDEXCE. 

CoEEESPOXDENTS iiiust follow military usage. 
Communications are to be made on lettee papee, 
folded in three equal parts, and endorsed on the 
first fold, in the following manner : 

Headquartees Camp, No. — , 

Division of S. of V., U. S. A. 

, 18-. 



B- 



Commander. 



[Here give a brief statement of contents.] 

Keply will be made by endorsement through the 
different channels required. 

Brothers address Camp First Sergeants, Camp 
Captains, the Adjutant of the Division, Division 
Commanders, the Adjutant-General. 

From Commandery Headquarters to Camps the 
reverse rule is followed. The Adjutant-General 
addresses the Division Commander, and the Ad- 
jutant the Camp Captain. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 9T 

As a matter of convenience the Adjutant may 
address the Adjutant-General direct on routine 
matters. 

[Forms.] 

A Brother in the Camp. 

, 18— 

E G , 

Orderly Sergeant, , Camp No. — . 

Dear Sir and Brother : 

Can you give me any information concern- 
ing, etc., * * * 

Yours in F., C. and L., , 

S. O. N. 

Camp to Division. 

Headquarters Camp, No. — , 

Division of S. of Y., U. S. A., 

, 18-. 

L M , 

Adjutant, Division of . 

Dear Sir and Brother : 

* * * * * * 

Yours in F., C. and L., 

C Y , 



Captain. 



98 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

Division to Commandert. 

Headquarters Division, S. of Y., U. S. A. 

, 18— 

O P _, 

Adjutant-General, S. of V., U. S. A. 

Dear Sir and Brother : 

****** 

Yours in F., C, and L., 

R S , 

Colonel-Commanding. 



ORDERS. 

The Official Orders of a Camp will be signed; 

****** 



By order of A M- 



Cai^tain Commanding. 



R- 



First Sergeant. 



Of a Division. 
By command of H J- 



Colonel-Commanding. 
K , Adjutant. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 99 



Of Commandery. 

By command of O P , 

Commander-in-chief. 
L R , Adjutant-General. 



Orders received by Camps should be read in 
place at the next meeting after their receipt. No 
vote is necessary on their reception. 

If BUSINESS is suggested, it lays over until 
"New Business." Otherwise, the orders will be 
duly filed. 



CHAPTER XI. 

INFANTRY TACTICS. FORMATION IN LINE. 

■[Plate 1.] 

The Camp is formed in single (or double) rank, 
the men being arranged according to height. 

The Captain is two yards in front of the center 
of the Camp; the First Lieutenant is two yards 
in the rear of the center of the first platoon ; the 
Second Lieutenant is two yards in the rear of 
the center of the second platoon. Each lieutenant 
is the chief of the platoon behind which he is 
posted. 

The First Sergeant is on the right of the front 
rank ; the other sergeants and the Chaplain 
(except the Color Sergeant) are in the line of 
file-closers, the Quartermaster-Sergeant oppo- 
site left file of the Company, the Chaplain oppo- 
site the second file from the right, the Sergeant 
OF THE Guard on the left of the First Lieutenant, 
the Color Sergeant and Color Guard (composed 
of the Corporal of the Guard, the Camp and Picket 
Guard) in the center of the front rank ; the Prin- 
cipal Musician, when not required to play, is in 
the line of file-closers, between the First Lieutenant 



INFANTRY TACTICS. 101 

and the Chaplain, and when required to play he 
marches at the head of the column. If there be a 
band or drum corps connected with the Camp, he 
shall march at their head, taking his station two 
yards in front of the front rank of the same. 

The file-closers are as equally distributed along 
the line as possible. 

All National and Division Officers and Past 
Camp Commanders shall form on the right of the 
line, two yards from the First Sergeant. 

Formation in Column. 

[Plate 2.] 

The First Sergeant is twenty-one inches in 
front of the left file of the first four ; the Quar- 
termaster-Sergeant is twenty-one inches in the 
rear of the Camp, opposite the left file of the rear 
four. 

The File-closers march two yards from the 
flank of the column, and see that all the fours 
maintain accurately their distance. 

The position of the Captain is by the side of 
the First Sergeant, on the flank opposite the file- 
closers. 

The National and Division Officers, and 
Past Camp Commanders march two yards in front 
of the First Sergeant and Captain. 
10 



102 



SONS OF VETERANS GUIDE. 



[PLATE 1.] 1 


[PLATE 2.] 


Formation 


IN 


Line. 


Formation in Column. 


'6 






Band. 


d 








M 








a . 








II 






> 


|St 






Nat. and Div. Officers. 


bt^A 








> a ^ 




Ola 






Past Camp Commanders. 










c« O 




125 O ^ 








1 ^ 






Capt. 0. S. 


-S Ph 






Chap. 


^ 








bfl 








^ 1 




. 


P. M. 


^ • ' 




^ 


__ 


OS 




ce 




■^ 




1 ^ 


1st Lt. 






1 O 








1 ^ 








1 Ph- 








-iJ 








1 ^ 








1 ^ 








QQ 








tH 


C. S. and Guard. 


ft 1 ^ \ 








«8 1 ^-1 




1 's 


S.ofG. 






w 


2dLt. 






4i 


— 






1 ^ 








' 73 








<N 




GQ 








5^: 1 






Q. M. S. 


(y 






— 



infantry tactics. 103 

General Instructions. 

If the Camp be accompanied by a military es- 
cort without music, the escort will form, when in 
line, four ynrds on the left of the Camp music, and 
will occupy the snme relative position when in 
column. 

In formations in line or column of two or more 
Camps, they will form in their numerical order at 
four yards interval or distance. 

Visiting Camps will form four yards on the left 
of the Camp whose guests they are. 

For the instruction of the guards in the Muster- 
in ceremony, the following simple movements are 
introduced : 

Commands. 
There are two kinds : 

The PREPARATORY COMMAND, SUCll aS FORWARD, 

which indicates the movement that is to be 
executed. 

The command of execution, such as March, or 
Halt, or in the manual of arms, the part of the 
command which causes the execution. 

The 2)repa7'at07'y commands aie distinguished by 
italics^ those of execution by small capitals. 



104 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

Position of the Soldiers. 

Heels on the same line, and as near each other as 
the conformation of the man permits. 

The feet turned out equally, and forming, with 
each other, an angle of about sixty degrees. 

The knees straight, without stiffness. 

The body erect on the hips, inclined a little 
forward. 

The shoulders square and falling equally. 

The arms hanging naturally. 

The elbows near the body. 

The palms of the hands turned slightly to the 
front, the little fingers behind the seams of the 
trousers. 

The head erect and square to the front. 

The chin sliglitly drawn in, without constraint. 

The eyes straight to the front, and striking the 
gi'ound about the distance of fifteen yards. 

Salutes. 

The instructor commands: 1. Might hand. 2. 
Salute. 

Raise the right hand smartly, pointing in the 
same direction as the right foot, the palm of the 
hand down, the thumb close to the forefinger, the 
arm extended, and horizontal. (Two.) Bring 
hand around till the point of the thumb and side of 



INFANTRY TACTICS. 10& 

the forefinger touch the lower edge of the cap, or 
visor, at the same time turning the head a little to 
the left, look toward the person to be saluted, and 
retain this position until the salute is acknowledged. 
(Three.) Bring back the hand and arm to the po- 
sition of the first motion, at the same time cast the 
eyes to the front. (Four.) Drop the hand quickly 
by the side. 

Facings. 

To the right or left. The instructor commands : 
1. Bight {or left). 2. Face. At the command 
face^ raise the right foot slightly, face to the right, 
turning on the left heel, the left toe slightly raised;, 
replace the right heel by the side of the left, and 
on the same line. 

The facings to the left are executed upon the 
same heel as the facings to the right. 

To the rear. The instructor commands; 1. 
Guard. 2. About. 3. Face. 

At the command about., turn on the left heel, 
bring the left toe to the front, carry the right foot 
to the rear, the hollow opposite to and three inches 
from the left heel, the feet square to each other. 

At the command face., turn on both heels, raise 
the toes a little, face to the rear, and when the face 
is nearly completed, raise the right foot and replace 
it by the side of the left. 



106 

Parade Rest. 

To give the men rest, imj^osing both steadiness 
of position and silence, the instructor commands; 
1. Parade. 2. Rest. 

Carry the right foot three inches directly to the 
rear, the left knee slightly bent ; clasp the hands in 
front of the center of the body, the left hand up- 
permost, the left thumb clasped by the thumb and 
foretiuger of the right hand. 

To resume the jjosition of the soldier, the in- 
structor commands : 1. Guard. 2. Attention. 

Side Step. 

Being at a halt, the instructor commands: 1. 
Side step to the right {or left). 2. March. 

At the command inarch, carry the right foot six 
inches to the right, keeping the knees straight and 
the shoulders square to the front ; as soon as the 
right foot is planted, bring tlie left foot to the side 
of it, and continue the movement, observing the 
cadence, until the commands : 1. Guard. 2. Halt. 

The side step is always executed in quick time, 
unless common time be specified. 

Back Step, 

Being at a halt, the instructor commands: 1. 
backward. 2. March. 



INFANTRY TACTICS. 107 

At the command march, step off smartly, with 
the left foot fourteen inches straight to the rear, 
measuring from heel to heel, and so on with the 
feet in succession, till the commands : 1. Guard. 
2. Halt. 

At the command halt, bring back the foot in 
front to the side of the one in the rear. 
To March to the Rear. 

Being in march, the instructor commands : 1. 
To the rear. 2. March. 

At the command march, given as the right foot 
strikes the ground, advance and plant the left foot, 
then turn on the balls of both feet, face to the 
right about, and immediately step off with the left 
foot. 

Alignments. 

The instructor commands : 1. Guard. 2. Bight 
(or left). 3. Dress. 

At the command dress, each man casts his head 
and eyes to the right, so as to see the coat buttons 
of the second man from him, keeping his should- 
ers SQUARE to the FRONT, AND TOUCHING WITH 
HIS ELBOW THAT OF THE MAN ON THE RIGHT, WITH- 
OUT OPENING HIS ARMS. 

At the command front, given when the rank is 
well aligned, the brothers cast their eyes to the 
front, and remain firm. 



108 

To March in Line. 

The Guard being in line, the instructor com- 
mands: 1. Forward, 2. Guide, right {or left), 
3. March. 

At the command niarch^ the brothers step off 
smartly with the left foot, the guide marching 
straight to the front. 

The instructor observes, in marching in line, 
that the men touch lightly the elbow toward the 
side of the guide; that they open out neither arm; 
that they yield to pressure coming from the oppo- 
site direction ; that, shortening or lengthening the 
step, they gradually recover the alignment and 
touch of the elbow, if lost, and that they keep the 
head direct to the front, no matter on which side 
the guide may be. 

To Change Direction in Column of Files. 

Being in march, the instructor commands : 1. 
Colurmi right (or left) ; or, Column half right {or 
half left). 2. March. 

At the command marc\ the leading file faces to 
the right, or half right, and is followed by the 
other files, who face on the same ground. 

To March Backward. 

Being at a halt, the instructor commands : 1. 
backward. 2. Guide right {or left). 3. March. 



INFANTRY TACTICS. 109 

At the command march^ the men move to the 
rear, taking steps of fourteen inches. 

The back step is only used to gain a few steps to 
the rear, and is always executed in quick time. 
To Form in Column of Twos from Line. 

The instructor commands: 1. Twos right {or 
left). 2. March. 

The twos wheel to the right on number one of 
each two as pivots, and to the left on number two. 

The column of twos is formed in line by the 
command : 1. Twos left {or right). 2. March. 
3. Guide right {or left) ; or 3. Guard. 4. Halt. 
5. Bight {or left). 6. Dress. 7. Front. 

The line is formed to the right or left, according 
as the riorht or left is in front. 



CHAPTER XII. 

MAXUAL OF ARMS. 

1. Carry ^ 2. Arms. 

The piece is in the right hand ; the barrel nearly 
vertical, and resting in the hollow of the shoulder, 
the guards to the front ; the arm hangs nearly at 
its full length, near the body, the thumb and fore- 
finger embracing the guard, the remaining fingers 
olosed together and grasping the stock just under 
the hammer, which rests on the little finger. 

To make the mechanism better known, the exe- 
<jution of each command is divided into motions. 

The rate of swiftness of each motion in the man- 
ual of arms, is fixed at the ninetieth j^art of a min- 
ute. The same interval of time should separate 
the command of execution from the preparatory 
command. 

1. Present^ 2. Arms. 
Carry the piece with the right hand, in front of 
the center of the body, at the same time grasp it 
with the left hand at the lower band, the forearm 
horizontal, and resting against the body. (Two.) 
Grasp the small of the stack with the right hand, 
below and against the guard. 



MANUAL OF ARMS. Ill 

1. Carry, 2. Arms. 

Resume the carry with the right hand. (Two.) 
Drop the left hand by the side. 

1. Order ^ 2. Arms. 

Grasp the piece with the left hand, the forearm 
horizontal, let go with the right hand ; lower the 
piece quickly with the left, re-grasping it with the 
right above the lower band, the little finger in rear 
of the barrel, the hand near the thigh, the butt 
about three inches from the ground, the left hand 
steadying the piece, the fingers extended and joined, 
(Two.) Lower the piece gently to the ground 
with the right hand. Drop the left hand by the 
side, and take the position to be described. 

Position of Order Arms. 

The arm hanging naturally, elbow close to the 
body, the back of the hand to the right, the fin-' 
gers extended and joined ; the barrel between the 
thumb and forefinger extended along the stock j 
the toe of the butt against the toe of the right 
foot, the barrel to the rear and vertical. 

1. Parade^ 2. rest. 

At the command rest^ carry the muzzle in front 
of the center of the body, the barrel to the left; 
grasp the piece with the left hand just above, and 



112 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

with the right hand at the U23per band ; carry the 
right foot three inches straight to the rear, the left 
knee slightly bent. 

To resume the order arms, the instructor com- 
mands : 1. Guard. 2. Attention. 

1. Carry ^ 2. Arms. 

Raise the piece vertically with the right hand, 
grasping it at the same time with the left above 
the right, resume the carry with the right hand. 
(Two.) Drop left hand by the side. 

Being at a carry, the instructor commands : 

1. Ar7ns, 2. Port. 

Throw the piece diagonally across the body, the 
lock to the front, grasp it smartly at the same in- 
stant, with both hands, the right at the small of 
the stock, the left at the lower band, the barrel 
sloping upward and crossing oj^posite the point of 
the left shoulder, the butt proportionately lowered. 
The jDalm of the right hand is above, and that of 
the left under the piece, the nails of both hands 
next the body, to which the elbows are closed. 

1. Carry. 2. Arms. Resume the carry with 
the right hand. (Two.) Drop the left hand by 
the side. 



manual of arms. 113 

Sergeants' Salute under Arms. 

1. Sergeants^ 2. Salute. 

Being at a carry, raise the left hand and arm 
horizontally to the front, palm of the hand down, 
the fingers extended. (Two.) Bend the left el- 
bow, carrying the hand around till the forefinger 
strikes the piece in the hollow of the right shoulder, 
retainino^ it there till the salute is acknowledcred. 
(Three.) Return to the position of the first mo- 
tion. (Four.) Drop the left hand by the side. 

To Stack Arms. 

The squad being at a carry, the instructor com- 
mands : 1. Count. 2. Fours. Beginning on the 
right, the men of each rank count one^ two, three, 
four, and so on to the left ; he then brings the 
squad to order arms, and commands : 

1. Stack, 2. Arms. 

At the command stack, number two of each four 
takes the piece of number three with the left hand 
above the lower band, the barrel to the rear, the* 
muzzle opposite the right arm ; he then grasps his 
own piece with his right hand above the lower 
band, and places the shank of the bayonet upon 
that of number three, the barrel to the right; num- 
ber one, with the right hand, then places the shank 
11 



114 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

of his bayonet in the angle formed by tlie bayonets 
of the other two pieces, the barrel to the front, 
retaining his hold on the piece above the lower 
band ; the butts of all the pieces about six inches 
from the ground. 

At the command anns^ number two, Avith his 
right hand, passes the butt of his musket thirty 
inches to the front, passing it between the butts of 
the other two pieces; the stack is then lowered, 
the butt of the musket of number three striking 
the ground just to the left of his left toe, that of 
number one striking the grouu'l between his feet. 

The stack being formed and aligned, the com- 
mand, Lay on loose pieces^ is given ; at which the 
remaining pieces are passed to the right, and placed 
on the stack. 

To Resume Arms. 
1. Take, 2. Arms. 
At the command take, the pieces of number four 
are passed to them ; number two grasps his own 
j^iece with the right hand, and the piece of number 
three with the left hand, both hands above the 
lower band ; number one, at the same time, grasps 
his own piece with his right hand above the lower 
band. At the command ar7ns, raise and break the 
stack, and return the pieces to order arms. 



manual of arms. 115 

Cleaning and Care of Rifle. 

1. When cleaning the rifle, the barrel should 
never be washed out, but should simply be wiped 
thoroughly with successive oiled rags, and lightly 
oiled inside and out. Purified neat's foot oil is 
best for this purpose. 

2. Before using the rifle, the barrel must be 
wiped out with a clean, dry rag. 

3. Upon no account is the rifle to be used for 
carrying any weight. Great care must be taken 
to prevent the barrel from being bent or dented, 
either of which defects will render accurate shoot- 
ing impossible. 

4. Care must be taken also to prevent the fore- 
sight from being bent or blunted. 

5. Placing arms forcibly in a rack, or stacking 
them carelessly, will frequently crook the barrel, 
particularly at the muzzle, which is the thinnest 
part, and thus irreparably derange the aim. 

6. If the interior of the barrel be allowed to 
become rtisty, the increased resistance to the pas- 
sage of the bullet will probably cause the latter to 
strip or pass out of the grooving. Rust in the bar- 
rel will also prevent the proper expansion of the 
bullet, and impair its rotation, which is essential to 
accurate shooting. The surest way to prevent rust 
in the barrel is to keep the bore perfectly dry. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

INSPECTIONS. 

The officers most actively engaged in inspections 
are the Assistant Inspectors, and on them depend 
the result and excellence of each inspection. 
Therefore it becomes the most important of the 
duties of the Inspector to select with care and good 
judgment brothers on whom so much dej^end, and 
to recommend for appointment only those who by 
years of experience and study of the wants of our 
Order "have been tried and not found wanting." 

Before entering uj^on the inspection of a Camp, 
Assistant Inspectors should carefully study, and 
become familiar with so much of our laws as relates 
to Camps ; the Ritual ; General Orders relating to 
inspections, and such instructions as may issue 
from the office of the InspectorrGeneral or Division- 
Inspector. They should also thoroughly acquaint 
themselves with the manner of keeping Camp rec- 
ords and files of documents, so that they may be 
able to remedy any evils therein existing. 

Having received orders from Division headquar- 
ters to inspect a certain Camp, the Assistant In- 
spector should notify the Captain at least one week 



INSPECTIONS. IIT 



in advance of the time of inspection (which should 
occur at a regular meeting, if possible), and should 
present himself in full uniform at the Camp room, 
at least one hour previous to the time fixed for the 
meeting of the Camp, for the purpose of examin- 
ing the records. 

Inspection of Records. — Every First Sergeant 
should keep the books specified in Chapter II., Ar- 
ticle VIII., Section 5. "First, the Constitution, 
By-Laws and Rules of Order of the Camp," etc. 
Examine the records, and ascertain if they com^ 
ply with this section. 

The Descriptive Book should be complete 
You will find many not so, especially in the case of 
charter members. Carefully inspect it, and if not 
properly kept, instruct the First Sergeant as to his 
duties in the premises. 

Records of meetings should be kept similar to 
the form given elsewhere, and should recite every 
item of business transacted. You should examine 
the records to ascertain if all general orders are 
read as required. 

The Black Book should be examined to see if 
proper entries have been made. 

Examine the File of General Orders to see if 
any number is missing. 

Ascertain if the bo7id of the Quartermaster has 
been given. 



118 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

Are members suspended when six months in 
arrears, or ai-e they continued in good standing ? 
Examine the books, and ascertain. If they are 
continued in good standing when over six months 
in arrears, call attention to this violation of tlie law. 

Several Camps have come under my observation 
that disregard the Constitution in relation to the 
reception and disposition of applications for mem- 
bership. In many cases the application would be 
presented at a special meeting, and the recruit mus- 
tered in w^ithin an hour from the reception of the 
application, and no dispensation had been granted 
for this purpose. (See Chapter II., Article II., 
Section 2, also Section 3.) In one Camp "they 
suspended the Rules and Regulations for that even- 
ing," so they would get their man in legally. In 
another Camp, until recently, all applications had 
been made verbally^ and the Investigating Commit- 
tee made a verbal report ; and again, but one mem- 
ber of the Investigating Committee signed the re- 
port. Look out for these violations. 

A recruit must pay not less than 81.50 muster 
fee, to include the badge. See that this is done. 
You will find some Camps charging less than $1.50, 
and some that do not present the badge. Correct 
these errors. 

Is the Guard used during muster ? Note this 



INSPECTIONS. 119 



omission, if it occurs, and you will find that it does 
frequently. 

Have they got inuHkets f 

Are the uniforms worn at Camji meetings? 
Also the badges ; are they worn ? 

Is a drum used during muster? 

Do they have singing, as required by the Ritual? 

Is the Ritual memorized? 

All of these j^oints should be observed in an 
inspection. 

Take a Ritual and follow the officers through 
in the Oldening, Closing, and Muster Ceremony. 
Note any mistakes in a note-book you should pro- 
vide for this purpose. 

The Rules and Regulations require every Camp 
to establish a Relief Fund. Is it done? 

Inspector-General (now Commander-in-chief) G. 
B. Abbott, of Chicago, Illinois, promulgated a code 
of rules governing the inspections during his term 
of office, which are very suggestive, and many of 
them will be applicable to future inspections. The 
most important are given below : — 

Rules foe Inspection. 

Read carefully, and implicitly obey all General 
Orders and Instructions, and comply with the Con- 
stitution, Rules, and Regulations of the Command- 
ery-in-chief. 



120 

Acknowledge at once the receipt of General Or- 
ders, Inspection blanks, and appointments to Head- 
quarters, and give notice of your acceptance of the 
same, or your inability to comply therewith. 

Study carefully every duty you are to perform, 
and commit the entire Ritualistic service; and 
especially familiarize yourself with the correct 
secret work, that you may be enabled to give an 
honest, conscientious inspection. 

On receipt of blanks and notice of your appoint- 
ment, notify the Commanding officer of the Camp 
you are detailed to inspect, of the time you will 
inspect his Camp, stating the time and manner of 
your coming, and keep your appointment without 
fail. 

If unforeseen circumstances at the last moment 
should prevent your keeping your appointment, 
notify the Colonel commanding, and do not pre- 
sume to send any one in your place without in- 
structions from your sujierior officers. 

An Inspecting officer is a representative of the 
Division and Comraandery-in-chief for the time 
being, and should deport himself with becoming 
dignity. 

Inspections are ordered, not as a mere matter of 
form, but to encourage the Camps that are doing 
well, and strengthen those that are in a weak con- 



INSPECTIONS. 121 



dition. To this end you must ])rosecute your in- 
quiries, discover where there are faults in adminis- 
tration, and report fully to the Inspector, that as- 
sistance may be given where needed. Your duties 
are only outlined by these instructions, and while 
it is required that you answer all questions fully, 
it is also expected that you will make yourself 
thoroughly acquainted with the Camp and its 
affairs in detail, and make such additional sugges- 
tions of its condition as will enable the Division 
Officers to have a full understanding of its effi- 
ciency and activity. 

In notifying the Captain of the time of your 
inspection, request of him at the same time that 
the First Sergeant and the Quartermaster Sergeant 
meet you at the Camp room one hour previous to 
the time of opening the Camp. At that time you 
will meet them, and go through the records and 
accounts of the Camp. Answer eveiy question 
you have to answer in your reports, while in the 
Camp room^ that your answers may be correct. 
During the ceremonies you will make no interrup- 
tions or suggestions unless requested to by the 
Commanding officer, but will take careful notes, 
and under the head of "The Good of the Order," 
you will call the attention of the Camp to such 
corrections as the occasion requires, giving the nee- 



122 SONS OF VETERAXS' GUIDE. 

essary instruction. The principal object of these 
inspections is to establish perfect and uniform work 
in every Camp. You will therefore tit yourself, 
and require the Camps you are inspecting to 
rehearse the entire work of opening, transacting 
its business, mustering in, and closing in due form. 

Assistant Inspectors will make duplicate reports 
of each Camp inspected, and forward both within 
twenty-four hours after inspection to the Division 
Inspector, who will make three consolidated re- 
ports — one to be retained by himself; one he will 
forward with one set of Assistant Inspector's 
reports to the Division -Adjutant, and the other 
one, and one set of Assistant Inspector's reports, 
to the Inspector-General. 

The authority of an Inspecting officer will be the 
General Order of the Colonel Commanding, or a 
Commission regularly signed and sealed, emanating 
from Division Headquarters. 

Division Inspectors will report all Assistant In- 
spectors to Division Fleadquarters, who fail to 
report promptly after an inspection of a Camp is 
ordered to take place. 

Inspectors will see that Assistant Inspectors 
answer all questions and fill out correctly all blank 
spaces on the inspection blanks, or return the same 
for correction. 



INSPECTIONS. 123 



The inspection in regard to Ritualistic work will 
be especially rigid. 

The object of an Inspection is to ascertain the 
exact condition of each Camp, and every Inspect- 
inoj officer should p'uard ao-ainst wronoincr other 
Camps by marking too leniently the Camp he may 
be inspecting, or doing injustice to it by giving it 
less than it deserves. 

The grip is to be used as a test only. It is not 
to be used when taking uj^ the password and coun- 
tersign in opening the Camj), nor when greeting 
one known to be a member of the Order, but as a 
further test when examining a stranger who claims 
to be a brother. This is to guard against its being 
discovered by strangers from its too frequent and 
public use. 

Members of the G. A. R. are not to be invested 
with the grip, nor the passwords and countersigns 
of this Order, but are permitted to be j^resent at 
all times, if properly obligated. 

No member of the G. A. R. or veteran who has 
not obtained membersliip in this Order by author- 
ity of Chapter I., i^rticle V., of our Constitution, 
shall be jDrivileged, under any circumstances, to 
appear in any Camp wearing the regulation badge 
of the Sons of Veterans, U. S. A., except those 
eight members designated by name in our Consti- 



124 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

tution, who, for honorable service for tliis Orcler^ 
were granted this and ct^rtain other peculiar rights. 
Assistant Inspectors will report any transgression 
of this law. 

Questions of secret work and Camp work fall in 
the department of the Inspector-General, and all 
matters relating thereto should be referred to him, 
j^assing through the proper channels. 

Do not alter any question. In remarks explain 
all questions answered in the negative or "no.'* 
"When in doubt regarding any question in this 
department, consult the Division Inspector at once. 
Every question is inserted with an object in view, 
believed to be for the good of the Order, and must 
be answered in strict accord with the printed in- 
structions on tlie inspection blanks. 

Inspecting officers will satisfy themselves that all 
General Orders have been rend to the Cam}), and 
placed on file. Furthermore, that Captains, in 
compliance with the obligation of office, and the 
precepts of the Ritual, omit none of its entire ser- 
vice at each regular meeting of the Camp. 

In States and Territories having no Division 
Headquarters, Captains of Camps will apply to the 
Adjutant-General for blanks, inspect their respec- 
tive Camps, and report to the Inspector-General 
direct. 



INSPECTIONS. 125 



All reports must be forwarded by the time des- 
ignated by General Orders, and any delinquent 
must be reported to the proper officers without 
delay. 

As the Assistant Inspectors are responsible nnd 
beholden to Division Inspectors, so are Division 
Inspectors under the authority of the Inspector- 
General, and when in doubt regarding any question 
in this department of the Order, consult your su- 
perior officer at once. Inspecting officers will take 
especial pains to write their names and addresses 
very plainly in the proper places on the Inspection 
blanks. 



12 



CHAPTER XIV. 

MUSTER OF NEW CAMPS. 

The success of a new camp largely depends 
upon the manner of its muster and the first offi- 
cers selected. An officer should not be detailed to 
perform this duty unless rendered competent by 
experience and study of the best methods of mus- 
tering Camps. 

The Adjutant, on receiving an application for 
a Camp charter, should thoroughly investigate the 
names and records of the fathers of the applicants 
appearing thereon. He should ascertain 

First, That all the applicants are eighteen years 
of age or over. 

Second^ That their fathers served in the Union 
Army or Xavy between 1861-1865, and were hon- 
orably discharged from the same. 

This can be ascertained by an examination of 
the reports of the Adjutant-General of your State 
between the years above mentioned. If the man 
has served with troops of another State, write to 
the Adjutant-General of that State for his record. 

Great care should be exercised in this investiga- 
tion of applicants, so that impostors shall not get in. 



MUSTER OF NEW CAMPS. 127 

After satisfying himself of the eligibility of the 
applicants, the Adjutant submits the application to 
the Colonel, who approves the same, and forwards 
it to the Adjutant-General. The Commander-in- 
chief then approves and publishes the aj^plication, 
and returns the same, together with a blank char- 
ter, under seal, signed by him, and countersigned 
by the Adjutant-General. 

The Adjutant, under direction of the Colonel, 
details the Mustering Officer (or some other Divis- 
ion officer) to proceed and muster the applicants, 
and at the same time sends the application, together 
with a package of supplies, cypher and key, and 
copies of all general orders issued by the Colonel 
during the year, to the officer for the use of the 
Camp. 

The officer detailed should write to the applicant 
to ascertain the time and place of the meeting for 
organization and muster, and should promptly 
appear in full uniform^ according to appointment. 
He should be accompanied by enough brothers 
to fill the different offices, and to act as guards. 

The charter fee should be paid to the Mustering 
Officer before the ceremonies commence^ ho giving 
a receipt therefor. 

He will then request all present, who are not 
Sons of Veterans, members of the G. A. R., or 



128 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

who have not their names on the charter applica- 
tion, to retire from the hall. 

When the request is complied with, he will send 
all applicants to the ante-room to await examina- 
tion, and will then instruct his assistants to assume 
the different stations of the proposed Camp, and 
will proceed as per Ritual . 

The names of all persons on the application, who 
do not present themselves for muster, should be 
stricken from the list. 

After the applicants have been mustered, the 
Mustering Officer should go through all the Camp 
ceremonies for the instruction and guidance of the 
new officers. 

He should also instruct them as to the use of 
the supplies furnished them. 

He should indorse upon the back of the Charter 
Application the name adopted, the names of the 
officers, and their addresses, and the time and place 
of meeting. 

He should also make a report to the Adjutant of 
the muster of the Camp, within three days there- 
after, by indorsement on the Application, also in 
duplicate on Form 23, at the same time remitting 
the charter fee, and an itemized bill of expenses. 

On receiving the charter fee and reports, the 
Adjutant will give a receipt to the Mustering Offi- 



MUSTER OF NEW CAMPS. 129 

cer for the same, enter the names of the applicants 
on the DescriiDtive Book and upon the blank char- 
ter ; enter the list of officers in his Roster of Camp 
Officers; register the charter in the Charter Reg- 
ister; mail one of the reports on Form 23 to the 
Adjutant-General, with a charter fee of two dol- 
lars; make out the commissions of the officers, and 
mail the same, together with the charter, to the 
Captain of the new Camp. 

The Charter Application and report on Form 23, 
should be preserved in files. 

When it is impracticable for a member of the 
Order to act as Mustering Officer, a committee of 
Comrades of the G. A. R. may be empowered to 
perform the ceremony. Having received the nec- 
essary supplies, the chairman will administer the 
G. A. R. oath to the others, and one of them will 
obligate him. They wall then decipher the secret 
work, and prepare themselves to fill important offi- 
ces, proceeding as provided for Mustering Officers. 



CHAPTER XV. 

WEST POINT. IXFORMATIOX RELATIVE TO THE 

APPOINTMENT AND ADMISSION OF CADETS. 

Appointments, how Made. — Each Congres^ 
sional District and Territory — also the District of 
Columbia — is entitled to have one Cadet at the 
Academy. Ten are also appointed at large. The 
appointments (except those at large) are made by 
the Secretary of War at the request of the Repre- 
sentative, or Delegate, in Congress from the Dis- 
trict or Territory ; and the person appointed must 
be an actual resident of the District or Territory 
from which the appointment is made. The ap- 
pointments at large are especially conferred by the 
President of the United States. 

Manner of Making Applications.— Applica- 
tions can be made at any time, by letter to the 
Secretary of War, to have the name of the appli- 
cant placed upon the register that it may be fur- 
nished to the proper Representative, or Delegate, 
when a vacancy occurs. The application must 
exhibit the full name, exact age, and permanent 
abode of the applicant, w4th the number of the 
Congressional District in which his residence is 
situated. 



WEST POINT. 131 



Date of appointments. — Appointments are re- 
quired by law to be made one year in advance of 
the date of admission, except in cases where, by 
reason of death or other cause, a vacancy occurs 
which cannot be provided for by such appointment 
in advance. These vacancies are filled in time for 
the next annual examination. 

Alternates. — Should the Representative, or 
Delegate, in Congress have reason to doubt the 
success of his nominee in passing the entering 
examination, he can nominate a legally-qualified 
alternate. The alternate will be examined with 
the regular nominee, and admitted in the event of 
his success and the latter's failure to pass the pre- 
scribed preliminary examinations. The alternate, 
like the nominee, should be designated as nearly 
one year in advance of date of admission as prac- 
ticable. 

Admission of Cadets. — A candidate upon re- 
ceiving his appointment is ordered to report at 
West Point to the Superintendent of the Military 
Academy in time to appear before the Academic 
Board for examination at its meeting early in June, 
unless there be good reasons for designating 
another time. 

The candidate, soon after his arrival at West 
Point is subjected to a rigid physical examination 
by a Board of experienced Surgeons of the Armv. 



132 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

If he passes successfully this exammation, he is 
then examined by the Academic Board. These 
examinations are made with as little delay as prac- 
ticable after the candidate reports to the Super- 
intendent. 

The candidate who passes successfully these ex- 
aminations is admitted at once to the Academy, 
without returning to his home. In January fol- 
lowing he is subjected to another academical exam- 
ination, and if he passes this one successfully, he 
receives a WARRANT as Cadet, and is required 
to sign articles binding himself to serve the United 
States eight years from the time of his admission 
to the Academy, unless sooner discharged. 

Qualifications. — The age for the admission of 
Cadets to the Academy is between seventeen and 
twenty-tw^o years. Candidates must be unmarried, 
at least five feet in height, free from any infectious 
or immoral disorder, and generally from any de- 
formity, disease, or infirmity which may render 
them unfit for military service. They must be well 
versed in reading, in writing, including orthogra- 
phy, in arithmetic, and have a knowledge of the 
elements of English grammar, of descriptive geog- 
raphy (particularly of our own country), and of 
the history of the United States. 

Each Cadet, upon his admission, shall take the 
oath of oflflce i^rescribed by law, and before receiv- 



WEST POINT. 133 



ing his icarrant sliall, in the presence of the Super- 
intendent, or of some officer deputed by him, sub- 
scribe to an engagement in the following form : 

United States Military Academy. 
I, , of the State of , aged 



years, month-, having been selected for ap- 
pointment as a Cadet in the Militai-y Academy of 
the United States, do hereby engage, with the con- 
sent of my (parent or guardian), in the event of 
my receiving such appointment, that 1 will serve 
in the Army of the United States for eight years, 
unless sooner discharged by comj^etent authority. 

And I, , DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR that I 

will support the Constitution of the United States, 
and bear true allegiance to the National Govern- 
ment ; that I will maintain and defend the sover- 
eignty of the United States paramount to any and 
all allegiance, sovereignty, or fealty I may owe to 
any State, county, or country whatsoever; and 
that I will at all times obey the legal orders of my 
superior officers, and the rules and articles govern- 
ing: the armies of the United States. 



Sworn and subscribed to at this day 

of , eighteen hundred and , before 



134 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

Physical Examination.* 

Note. There being no provision whatever for the payment of the 
traveling expenses of either accepted or rejected candidates for ad- 
mission, no candidate should fail to provide himself in advance with 
the means of returning to his home, in case of his rejection before 
either of the Examining Boards, as he may otherwise be put to con- 
siderable trouble, inconvenience, and even suffering, on account of 
his destitute condition. If admitted, the money brought by him to 
meet such a contingency can be deposited with the Treasurer on ac- 
count of his equipment as a Cadet, or returned to his friends. 

*It is suggested to all candidates for admission to the Military Acad- 
emy, that before leaving their place of residence for West Point, they 
should cause themselves to be thoroughly examined by a compe- 
tent physician, and by a teacher or instructor in good standing. By 
such an examination any serious physical disqualification or deficiency 
in mental preparation would be revealed, and the candidate probably 
spared the expense and trouble of a useless journey, and the mortifi- 
cation of rejection. 

It should be understood that the informal examination herein rec- 
ommended is solely for the convenience and benefit of the candidate 
himself, and can in no manner affect the decision of the Academic 
and Medical Examining Boards at West Point. 

Every candidate is subjected to a rigid physical 
examination, and if there is found to exist in him 
any of the following causes of disqualification to 
such a degree as would immediately, or at no very 
distant period, impair liis efficiency, he is rejected; 

1. Feeble constitution and muscuhir tenuity; 
unsound health from whatever cause ; indications 
of former disease; glandular swellings, or other 
symptoms of scrofula. 

2. Chi-onic cutaneous affections, especially of 
the scalp. 

3. Severe injuries of the bones of the head; 
convulsions. 

4. Impaired vision, from whatever cause; in- 
flammatory affections of the eyelids; immobility or 
irregularity of the iris; fistula lachrymalis, etc., etc. 



WEST POINT. 135 



5. Deafness; copious discharge from the ears. 

6. Loss of many teeth, or the teeth generally 
unsound. 

7. Impediment of speech. 

8. Want of due capacity of the chest, and any 
other indication of a liability to a pulmonic disease. 

9. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or 
both of the superior extremities on account of frac- 
tures, especially of the clavicle, contraction of a 
joint, extenuation, deformity, etc. 

10. An unusual excurvature or incurvature of 
the spine. 

11. Hernia. 

12. A varicose state of the veins of the scro- 
tum or spermatic cord (when large), sarcocele, hy- 
drocele, hemorrhoids, fistulas. 

13. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of one or 
both of the inferior extremities on account of vari- 
cose veins, fractures, malformation (flat feet, etc.), 
lameness, contraction, unequal length, bunions, 
overlying or supernumerary toes, etc., etc. 

14. Ulcers, or unsound cicatrices of ulcers likely 
to break out afresh. 

Academical Examination. 

Reading. — In Readiny^ candidates must be able 
to read understandingly, with j^roper accent and 
emphasis. 



136 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

AYkiting and Orthography. — In Writing and 
Orthography^ they must be able, from dictation, to 
Avrite sentences from standard pieces of English 
literature, both prose and poetry, sufficient in num- 
ber to test their qualifications both in hand-writing 
and orthography. 

Arithmetic. — In Arithmetic^ they must be able 

1st. To explain, accurately and clearly, its ob- 
jects, and the manner of writing and reading num- 
bers — entire — fractional — compound or denominate % 

2d. To perform with facility and accuracy the 
various operations of addition — subtraction — mul- 
tiplication and division of whole numbers, abstract 
and compound, or denominate, giving the rule for 
each operation, wiith its reasons^ and also for the 
different methods of proving the accuracy of the 
work ; 

3d. To explain the meaning of reduction — its 
different kinds — its application to denominate num- 
bers in reducing them from a higher to a lower 
denomination, and the reverse, and to equivalent 
decimals ; to give the rule for each case, icith its 
reasons, and to apply readily these rules to practi- 
cal examples of each kind ; 

4th. To explain the nature of prime numbers, 
and factors of a number — of a common divisor of 
two or more numbers, particularly of their greatest 
common divisor — with its use, and to give the rule, 



WEST POINT. 137 



with its reasons, for obtaining it ; also the meaning 
of a common multiple of several numbers, particu- 
larly of their least common multiple, and its use, 
and to give the rule, with its reasons, for obtaining 
it, and to apply each of these rules to examples ; 

6th. To explain the nature of fractions, com- 
mon or vulgar, and decimal — to define the various 
kinds of fractions, with the distinguisliing proper- 
ties of each — to give all the rules for their reduc- 
tion, particularly from mixed to improper, and the 
reverse — from comj^ound or complex to simple — to 
their lowest terms — to a common denominator — 
from common to decimal and the reverse ; for their 
addition — subtraction — multiplication and division, 
with the reason for each change of rule, and to ap- 
ply each rule to examples; 

6th. To define the terms ratio and proportion — 
to give the properties of proportion and the rules, 
and their reasoiis, for stating and solving questions 
in both simple and compound proportion, or single 
and double rule of three, and to apply these rules 
to examples ; 

7th. The candidates must not only know the 
principles and rules referred to above, but they are 
required to possess such a thorough understanding 
of all the fundamental operations of arithmetic as 
will enable them to combine the various principles 
13 



138 



in the solution of any complex problem which can 
be solved by the methods of arithmetic. In other 
words, they must possess such a complete knowl- 
edge of arithmetic as will enable them to take up 
at once the higher branches of mathematics, with- 
out further study of arithmetic ; 

8th. It is to be understood that the examina- 
tion in these branches may be either written or 
oral, or partly written and partly oral — that the 
definitions and rules must be given fully and accu- 
rately, and that the work of all examples, whether 
upon the blackboard, slate, or paper, must be writ- 
ten plainly and in full, and in such a manner as to 
show clearly the mode of solution. 

The following examples and questions in Arith- 
metic are a few of those which have been used at 
past examinations. They are given in order to 
indicate more clearly what is required, but it should 
be distinctly understood that entirely different ones 
are used each year. 

Multiply 4.32 by .00012. 

Explain the reason for placing the decimal point 
in the answer. [_The rule for so doitig is not the 
reason.^ 

5i+g -0.725 

Reduce 41 345 to an equivalent decimal. 



WEST POINT. 



139 



Divide 3380321 by MDCCXCIX, and express 
the quotient by the Roman system of notation. 

Change .013 to an equivalent fraction whose de- 
nominator is 135. 

Find the greatest common divisor of 26^, 28^, 
and 291. 

How many men woukl be required to cultivate a 
field of 2f acres in 5i days of 10 hoursj each, if 
each man completed 77 square yards in 9 hours? 

Separate 772f into tliree numbers, which shall 
be in the same proportion as 2^, j"o, y%. 

5 cubic feet of gold weigh 98.20 times as much 
as a cubic foot of water, and 2 cubic feet of coi> 
per weigh 18 times as much as a cubic foot of 
water; how many cubic inches of copper will weigh 
as much as |- of a cubic inch of gold? 

Find the least common multiple for the numbers 
I, 2.1, 5.25, f 

A wins 9 games out of 15 when playing|against 
jB, and 16 out of 25 when playing against C. How 
many games out of 118 should (7 win when play- 
ing against £^ 

A and £ run a race, their rates of running being 
as 17 to 18. A runs 2i miles in 16 minutes, 48 
seconds, and jB runs the entire distance in 34 min- 
utes. What was the entire distance ? 

A and £ can do a piece of work in 4 hours, A 



140 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

and C in 3f hours, B and C in 5| hours. In what 
time can A do it alone? 

English shillings are coined from a metal which 
contains 87 parts of silver to 3 parts of alloy; one 
pound of this metal is coined into 66 shillings. 
The United States silver dollar weighs 412.5 
grains, and consists of 9 parts silver to 1 of alloy. 
What fraction of the United States dollar will con- 
tain the same amount of silver as one English 
shilling ? 

Give the rule for reducing a decimal of a given 
denomination to integers of lower denominations. 

What is the effect of dividing the denominator 
of a fraction by a whole number, and why ? 

Explain the difference between a common frac- 
tion and a decimal. 

What is the effect of annexing a cipher to a dec- 
imal, and why? 

If the same number be subtracted from both 
terms of an improper fraction, what will be the 
effect? Why? 

Give the rule for reducing a common fraction to 
an equivalent decimal, and explain why the result- 
ing decimal will be equal to the common fraction 
from Avhich it is obtained. 

Give the rule for dividing one decimal by an- 
other, and explain why the decimal point in the 
quotient is placed where the rule directs. 



WEST POINT. 141 



Define Reduction, and state the different kinds. 
Grammar. — In English Grammar^ candidates 
must be able : — 

1. To define the parts of speech, and give their 
classes and proj^erties ; to give inflections, includ- 
ing declension, conjugation and comparison; to 
give the corresponding masculine and feminine 
gender-nouns; to give and apply the ordinary rules 
of syntax. 

2. To parse fully and correctly any ordinary 
sentence, omitting rules, declensions, comparisons, 
and principal parts, but giving the subject of each 
verb, the governing word of each objective case, 
the word for which each pronoun stands, or to 
which it refers, the words between which each 
preposition shows the relation, precisely wiiat each 
conjunction connects, what each adjective and ad- 
verb qualifies or limits, the construction of each 
infinitive, and, generally, showing a good knowl- 
edge of the function of each word in the sentence. 
Omissions will be taken to indicate ignorance. 

3. To correct in sentences or extracts any ordi- 
nary grammatical errors, such as are mentioned 
and explained in ordinary grammars. 

It is not required that any particular gramma- 
rian or text-book shall be followed ; but rules, defi- 
nitions, parsing, and corrections must be in accord- 



142 soxs OF veterans' guide. 

ance with good usage and common sense. The 
examination may be written or oral, or both writ- 
ten and oral. 

Geography. — Candidates will be required to 
pass a satisfactory exaramation, written or oral, or 
both, in Geography^ particularly of our own coun- 
try. To give a candidate a clear idea of what is 
required, the following synopsis is added to show 
the character and extent of the examination. 
Questions are likely to be asked involving knowl- 
edge of : 

1st. Definitions of the geographical circles, of 
latitude and longitude, of zones, and of all the nat- 
ural divisions of the earth's surface, as islands, 
seas, capes, etc. 

2d. The continental areas and grand divisions 
of the water of the earth's surface. 

3d. The grand divisions of the land — the large 
bodies of water which in part or wholly surround 
thera. 

Their principal mountains, location, direction, 
and extent; the capes, from what parts they pro- 
ject, and into what waters ; 

Their principal peninsulas, location, and by what 
waters they are embraced ; 

The parts coimected by an isthmus, if any ; 

Their principal islands, location, and surround- 
ing waters ; 



WEST POINT. 143 



The seas, gulfs, and bays, the coasts they indent, 
and the wateis to which they are subordinate ; 

The straits, the lands they separate, and the 
waters they connect; 

Their principal rivers, their sources, directions 
of flow, and the waters into which they empty ; 

Their principal lakes, location and extent ; 

4th. The political divisions of the grand 
divisions. 

Their names, locations, boundaries, and capitals ; 
general questions of the same character as indi- 
cated in the second section made applicable to each 
of the countries of each of the grand divisions. 

5th. The United States. 

The candidate should be thoroughly informed 
as to its general features, configuration, location, 
and boundaries (both with respect to neighboring 
countries, and latitude and longitude) ; its adja- 
cent oceans, seas, bays, gulfs, sounds, straits, and 
islands; its mountain ranges, their location and 
extent ; the sources, directions, and terminations 
of the important rivers and their principal tribu- 
taries, the lakes, and, in short, every geographical 
feature of the country as indicated above. The 
location and termination of important railroad 
lines and other means of communication from one 
part of the country to another should not be 
omitted. 



144 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

The States and Territories are to be accurately 
located with respect to each other by their boun- 
daries, and as to their arder along the Atlantic 
Coast, the Gulf of Mexico, the Pacific Coast, the 
Northern frontier, the Mexican frontier, and the 
Mississippi, Missouri, and, Ohio Rivers. 

The boundary and other large rivers of each 
State, as well as all other prominent geographical 
features should be known. 

The names and locations of their capitals, and 
other important cities and towns are likewise to be 
known. 

In short, the knowledge should be so complete 
that a clear mental picture of the whole or any 
part of the United States is impressed on the mind 
of the candidate. More weight is attached to a 
knowledge of the geography of the United States 
than to that of all other countries combined. 

History. — The candidate should make himself 
familiar with so much of the History of the United 
States as is contained in the ordinary school histo- 
ries. The examination may be written or oral, or 
partly written and partly oral, and will usually 
consist of a series of questions similar to the fol- 
lowing : 

1. Name the earliest European settlements 
within the present limits of the United States — 



WEST POINT. 145 



when, where, and by whom made ? When did the 
settlements made by other nations than the English, 
come under the Dominion of Great Britain, and of 
the United States ? 

II. What was the difference between the Royal, 
the Chartered, and the Proprietary colonies ? How 
many colonies were there originally in Massachu- 
setts and Connecticut? when were they united ? 
How many in Pennsylvania? when were they 
sej^arated ? 

III. In what wars were the colonies engaged 
before the Revolution ? What were the principal 
events and results of those of King William, 
Queen Anne, King George, and the French and 
Indian. 

IV. What were the remote and the immediate 
causes of the American Revolution ? Explain the 
Navigation Act, the Stamp Act, Writs of Assist- 
ance. When did the War of the Revolution prop- 
erly begin? when, where, and how did it end? 
Give the particulars of Arnold's treason. Who 
were the most prominent generals in this war? 
Name the most important battles, and their results. 

V. The Constitution of the United States — 
why and when was it formed ? when was it adopted? 

VI. Give the names of the Presidents of the 
United States in their order. Give the leading 



146 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

events of the administration of each one ; for ex- 
ample, that of — 

Washington — Indian war; trouble with France; 
Jay's treaty ; the whiskey rebellion, etc. 

Jefferson — War with Tripoli ; purchase of 
Louisiana ; the embargo, etc., etc. 

Madison — War of 1812; its causes; the princi- 
pal battles on land and sea; peculiarity of its last 
battle, when ended, etc., etc. 

Monroe — Indian war; cession of Florida ; Mis- 
souri compromise, et(;., etc. 

Jackson — Black Hawk and Seminole wars ; the 
United States Bank ; nullification, etc., etc. 

Polk — The Mexican war; its causes; principal 
battles ; result of it, etc., etc. 

Pierce — Repeal of Missouri compromise ; 
troubles in Kansas, etc., etc. 

Buchanan — Civil war, how begun, etc., etc. 

Lincoln — War of Secession ; its causes ; its re- 
sults, social and political ; explain Doctrine of State 
Sovereignty; alienation between Northern and 
Southern states; Doctrine of Secession; give an 
account of principal battles. 

Johnson — Fourteenth Amendment; Tenure of 
Office Bill ; Johnson's Impeachment. 

Grant — Fifteenth Amendment ; Alabama Claims 
and Treaty of Washington; Electoral Commission. 



WEST POINT. 147 



Academic Duties. 

The academic duties and exercises commence on 
the first of September, and continue until the first 
of June. Examinations of the several classes are 
held in January and June, and, at the former, such 
of the new Cadets as are found proficient in studies 
and have been correct in conduct are given the 
particular standing in their class to which their 
merits entitle them. After each examination. Ca- 
dets found deficient in conduct or studies are dis- 
charged from the Academy, unless the Academic 
Board for special reasons in each case should oth- 
erwise recommend. Similar examinations are held 
every January and June during the four years 
comprising the course of studies. 

These examinations are very thorough, and re- 
quire from the Cadet a close and persevering atten- 
tion to study, without evasion, or slighting of any 
part of the course, as no relaxations of any kind 
can be made by the examiners. 

Military Instruction. — From the termination 
of the examination in June to the end of August, 
the Cadets live in camp, engaged only in military 
duties and exercises, and receiving practical mili- 
tary instruction. 

Except in extreme cases. Cadets are allowed but 
one leave of absence during the four years' course ; 



148 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

as a rule, the leave is granted at the end of the first 
two years' course of study. 

Pay of Cadets. 

The pay of a Cadet is 8540 per year, to com- 
mence with his admission to the Academy, and is 
sufficient, with proper economy, for his support. 
No Cadet is permitted to receive money, or any 
other supplies, from his parents, or from any per- 
son whomsoever, without the sanction of the 
Superintendent. 

Cadets are required to wear the prescribed uni- 
form. All articles of their clothing are of a uni- 
form pattern, and are sold to Cadets at West Point 
at regulated prices. 

Expenses of Candidates prior to Admission. 

The expenses of a candidate for board, washing, 
lights, etc., after he has reported, and prior to ad- 
mission, will be about $10. Immediately after be- 
ing admitted to the Institution he must be provided 
with an outfit of uniform, the cost of which will be 
about $90, making a total sum of $100, which must 
be deposited with the Treasurer of the Academy 
before the candidate is admitted. It is best for a 
candidate to take with him no more money than 
will defray his traveling expenses, and for the par- 



WEST POINT. 149 



ent or guardian to send to '-'-The Treasurer U. S. 
Military Academy^'' the required deposit of $100. 
Any deviation from the rule as to the amount or 
manner of making the deposit must be explained 
in writing, by the parent or guardian of the candi- 
date, to the Superintendent of the Academy. 

Assignment to Corps after Graduation. 

The attention of applicants and candidates is 
called to the following provisions of an act of Con-, 
gress approved May 17, 1886, to regulate the pro- 
motion of graduates of the United States Military 
Academy. 

That when any cadet of the United States Mili- 
tary Academy has gone through all its classes, and 
received a regular diploma from the academic staff, 
he may be promoted and commissioned as a second 
lieutenant in any arm or corps of the army in 
which there may be a vacancy, and the duties of 
which he may have been judged competent to per- 
form ; and in case there shall not at the time be a 
vacancy in such arm or corps, he may, at the dis- 
cretion of the President, be promoted and commis- 
sioned in it as an additional second lieutenant, with 
the usual pay and allowances of a second lieuten- 
ant, until a vacancy shall happen. 
14 



150 SONS OF veterans' guide. 

« 

General Qualifications. 

A sound body and constitution, suitable prepara- 
tion, good natural capacity, an aptitude for study, 
industrious habits, perseverance, an obedient and 
orderly disposition, and a correct moral deport- 
ment, are such essential qualifications that candi- 
dates knowingly deficient in any of these respects, 
should not, as many do, subject themselves and 
their friends to the chances of future mortification 
and disappointment by accepting appointments at 
the Academy, and entering upon a career which 
they cannot successfully pursue. 



WEST POINT. 



151 



Course of Study and Books Used at the Military Academy. 
[Books marked thus * are for reference.] 



First Year.— Fourth Class. 



DEPARTMENT. 


COURSE OF study, TEXT-BOOKS AND 
BOOKS OF REFERENCE. 


Mathematics. 


Davies' Elements of Algebra. 

Davies' Legendre's Geometry. 

Church's Planeand Spherical Trigonometry. 

Davies' Surveying. 

Church's Analytical Geometry. 


Modern Languages. 


Keetels' Analytical and Practical French 

Grammar. 
Keetels' Analytical French Reader. 
*Spiers' and Surenne's Dictionary. 
Whitney's Essentials of English Grammar. 
Hart's Manual of Rhetoric and Composition. 
Abbott and Seeley's English Lessons for 

English People. 
Abbott^s How to Write Clearly. 
♦Webster's Dictionary. 


History, Geography 
and Ethics. 


Lectures in Ethics, and in Universal History. 


Tactics of Artillery 
and Infantry. 


Practical Instruction in the Schools of the 

Soldier, Company and Battalion. 
*Blunt's Rifle and Carbine Firing. 
Practical Instruction in Artillery. 


Use of Small Arms. 


Instruction in Fencing and Bayonet Exer- 
cise, and Military Gymnastics. 



152 



SONS OF VETERANS GUIDE. 



Second Year.— Third Class. 



DEPARTMENT. 


COURSE OF STUDY, TEXT-BOOKS, AND 
BOOKS OF REFERENCE. 


Mathematics. 


Church's Analytical Geometry. 

Church's Descriptive Geometry, with its 

application to Spherical Projections. 
Church's Calculus. 

Church's Shades, Shadows and Perspective. 
Chauvenet's Treatise on the Method of 

Least Squares. 


Modern Languages. 


Keetels' Analytical and Practical French 
Grammar. 

Borel's Grammaire Fran^aise. 

Bocher's College Series of French Plays. 

Roemer's Cours de Lecture et de Traduc- 
tion. Vols. I and II. 

*Spiers and Surenne's Dictionary. 


Drawing. 


Topography and plotting of Surveys with 
lead pencil, pen and ink, and colors; 
construction of the various problems 
in Descriptive Geometry, Shades and 
Shadows, and Linear perspective and 
Isometric projections ; practical survey- 
ing in the field. 

*Reed s Topographical Drawing and 
Sketching. 


Tactics of 

Artillery, Infantry, 

and Cavalry. 


Practical Instruction in the Schools of the 
Soldier, Companv and Battahon. 

*Blunt's Rifle and Carbine Firing. 

Practical Instruction in Artillery and Cav- 
alry. 



WEST POINT. 



153 



Third Year.— Second Class. 



DEPARTMENT. 



COURSE OF STUDY, TEXT-BOOKS, AND 
BOOKS OF REFERENCE. 



Natural and Experi- 
mental Philosophy. 


Michie's Mechanics (Solids). 
Bartlett'8 Mechanics (Fluids), 
Bartlett's Astronomy. 
Michie's Elements of Wave-Motion relating 
to Sound and Light. 


Chemistry, Mineralogy 
and Geology. 


Bloxam's Chemistry, 5th Edition. 
Everett's Deschanel's Heat, Part II. 
Tillman's Principles of Chemical Philosophy 
Brown's Eclectic Physiology. 
Thompson's Elementary Lessons in Elec- 
tricity and Mag-netism. 
Dana's Mineralogy. 
Le Conte's Elements of Geology. 


Drawing. 


Free Hand Drawing and Landscape in black 
and white. Constructive and Architec- 
tural drawing in ink and colors. 

*Reed's Topographical Drawing and 

Sketching. 


Tactics of 

Artillery, Infantry 

and Cavalry. 


United States Army Artillery Tactics. 

Tidball's Manual of Heavy Artillery Ser- 
vice. U. S. A. 

United States Army Cavalry Tactics. 

L'pton's L'. S. Army Infantry Tactics. 

Practical Instruction in the Schools of the 
Soldier, Company and Battalion. 

Practical Instruction in Artillery and Cav- 
alry. 


Practical Military 
Engineering. 


Myer's Manual of Signals. Practical and 
Theoretical Instruction in Military 
Signaling. 



154 



SONS OF veterans' GUIDE. 



Fourth Year.— First Class. 



DEPARTMENT. 


COURSE OF STUDY, TEXT-BOOKS, AND 
BOOKS OF REFERENCE. 


Civil and Military 
Engineering and 
Science of War. 


Wheeler's Civil Engmeering. 

Wheeler's Field Fortifications. 

Wheeler's Military Engineering (Perma- 
nent Fortifications, Siege Operations, 
and Military Mining.) 

Wheeler's Elements of the Art and Science 
of War. 

Mahan's Stereotomv. 

*Royal Engineers, "^Aide-Memoire, Parts I 
and II. 


Modem Languages. 


Knapp's Spanish Grammar, Knapp's Span- 
ish Readings. 
*Sloane's Newman and Barrett's Dictionary. 


Law. 


Woolsey's International Law. 
Cooler's General Principles of Constitu- 
tional Law in the United States. 
Winthrop's Abridgement of Military Law. 
General Orders No. 100, A. G. O., 18G3. 


History, Geography 
and Ethics. 


Swinton's Outlines of the World's History. 
Labberton's Historical Atlas. 


Practical Military 
Engineering. 


Practical Instruction in the construction of 
Pontoon and Spar Bridges : in the prep- 
aration of Siege Materials ; and in lay- 
ing out field and siege work. 

Practical Instruction in Astronomy, in Sur- 
veying, in Military Reconnaisances, in 
Field Telegraphy, and Night Signaling. 

♦Ernst's Manual of Practical Military En- 
gineering. 

Myer's Manual of Signals. 


Tactics of 

Artillery, Infantry 

and Cavalry. 


Practical Instruction in the Schools of 
the Soldier, Company and Battalion. 
Practical Instruction in Artillery and 
Cavalry. 


Ordnance and 
Gunnery. 


Benton's Ordnance and Gunnery. 
Ordnance Pamphlets, Nos. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. 
Practical Pyrotechnics. 
Practical Ballistics. 



